New broadband-over-power lines technology kicks off in Bataan

BALANGA CITY - A United States-based firm and the Peninsula Electric Cooperative of Bataan formally launched on Friday a new technology that will make use of electric lines not only for electric power but also for Internet connection, telephone lines and cable television.

Nextream Broadband Philippines, a US-based firm with Filipino-American businessman Tyrone Javellana as chairman and chief executive officer, introduced broadband-over-power-lines technology in Bataan.

Ronald Fesalbon, Nextream’s chief technical officer, said the towns of Pilar and Abucay and the City of Balanga, the base of the project, are already on-line and ready for commercial operation before the second week of February.

He explained that with the use of a modem priced at P1,200, one can have Internet access or telephone connection anywhere by simply plugging it to any electric convenience outlet available in the house or at the office.

Fesalbon said that with the use of BPL, overseas call to the United States will cost only five cents for every minute as compared to 40 cents charged by other cell-phone companies.

Penelco general manager Loreto Marcelino said the Bataan electric distributor is honored to be the premier and pilot partner of Nextream in the noble venture aimed at empowering the people in the rural areas.

"Penelco is the first in the country which registered 100-percent electrification for Bataan in 1997 and we are glad to be part of this project that will make Balanga the first ‘wired city’ in the Philippines," Marcelino said. - ABS-CBN NEWS