One stop IT solution shop

ANGELES CITY -- What started as an arm of the Angeles City Cable Television Network is now one of the country's biggest technology providers -- a virtual paperless Information Technology (IT) solutions company that recently earned its ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management Systems Certification.

For ComClark Network and Technology Corporation (ComClark) chief executive officer Dennis Anthony Uy, getting there was a gradual step-by-step rise in the highly competitive, constantly evolving IT business, but keeping keen on its focus and core business: business processes.

"We started at Mimosa when Tony Gonzales asked us to provide him with cable TV systems. After a year, because of the growing economic activity at Clark [Freeport], we decided to put an ISP [Internet Service Provider], making us the first to do so. It was a joint venture with Clark Telecom and then in due time, it grew with the demand much that we were able to bring down the high costs of dial-up internet then. So we laid down all the physical fibers to serve all the locators in Clark. We focused on the needs of the market and data services. That's how we started to become a 28-company group with a workforce of more than 500 people," Uy told Sun.Star Pampanga.

The ComClark honcho, who started tinkling with a computer at the age of 16, disclosed that the company's clients are very much satisfied with their services and the expertise of the staff.

"In any problem we are here. Our people are equipped with the technology expertise. We will solve and come up with a customized IT solution for you the same day. Now, even giants like PLDT partner with us for technological innovation. We gradually expanded towards cable internet and brought to offices and households the technology at affordable cost," he added.

He revealed that now, ComClark is the biggest in the broadband sector in terms of people-operators in the Philippines, backed up by good customer support. "I keep reminding my people that the customer is the boss. We see to it that our customers understand their problems and extend personalized service, which our big competitors don't really have. We will not stop until a client's problem is solved."

Uy narrated that he was also the first to present computer technology to various business outfits in Central Luzon, including big educational institutions.

"That's because we focus on our core business which is broadband and cable TV services. It has always been a numbers game and a matter of economies of scale. I am an electrical engineer and I think this is my key to success because I am very happy with what I do," said Uy.

Uy considers the ISO certification as another milestone of the company.

"This 2011, Comclark reached yet another milestone with its ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management Systems certification. True to its vision of becoming a world-class ICT and broadcast technologies provider, Comclark continues to deliver the promise of credibility through experience, reliability through expertise and excellence in product and service alternatives and delivery," Uy said.

Comclark's milestones trace back to the year 2000 when the company pioneered the use of Instanet or pre-paid internet cards. This was followed by the introduction of Nemo cable Internet in 2002 and in the same year, Comclark introduced Airspan or its wireless Internet service, particularly in remote areas of the Pampanga province.

In 2003, the company replaced its Nemo project with Surestream Cable Internet Service by using Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) technology. The people of Bulacan and Bataan were also able to enjoy the fast and reliable Internet service of Comclark when it made its expansion in 2007. A year later, Comclark was not just a provincial player in the broadband industry but it also made its presence felt in Metro Manila by launching the Metro E.

Comclark started to offer Internet and Transport Service to different enterprises in the metropolis. Among its first-ever clients was Sterling Global. Comclark also pioneered the introduction of Fiber to the Building (FTTB) within the business districts of Makati and Ortigas. Year 2009 was a year of expansion with Metro E extending its services to reach the provinces of Cebu, Baguio and Laoag while Surestream Cable Internet was offered in the towns of Bamban, Capas and Concepcion in Tarlac and in San Luis, Pampanga.

In 2010, the growth of Comclark continued with the launch of its Data Center Colocation service of which Philhealth was the first client. In the same year, Comclark also provided a link going to Hong Kong to IP Converge to serve its need for an International Private Leased Circuit.