As expected the new logos of both Smart and its parent company PLDT wasn’t just for show – tonight the two firms announced that they will be undergoing a digital pivot that’s expected to last three years to transform its networks into the country’s most data capable infrastructure as well as offer several new digital services.
We’ve already seen a sample of this pivot through the efforts of Voyager Innovations, which has produced apps like Safezone, Takatack and Lendr, and Talas Data Intelligence.
“Rather than allow ourselves to be disrupted by new technologies, we are disrupting ourselves. We have embarked on a digital pivot to enable us to serve the increasing needs of our people’s digital lifestyle and the country’s digital economy,” said PLDT and Smart Chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan.
To show their seriousness in their pivot, both Smart and PLDT have earmarked Php 43 billion for capital expenditures, with $100 million more waiting in the wings in the heels of the company’s acquisition with rival telco Globe of San Miguel’s telco assets, which includes the highly lucrative 700MHz LTE band.
