These commercial trials come to the heels of a series of public demonstrations held during the last quarter of 2005. Globe became the first Philippine telco to conduct a video call on its trial 3G network after acquiring its 3G trial license from the National Telecommunication Commission last year. The capabilities of this exciting new technology were witnessed by guests at the awarding ceremonies of the Globe 2nd CEO Golf Cup, and at the 19th Philippine Ad Congress in Cebu, where Ayala Corporation President and CEO Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala received a live video call from Manila. 3G video sharing also made possible live updates from the 23rd Southeast Asian Games, which were shown to members of the press at the PHILSOC Media Bureau and to Globe subscribers at Glorietta’s 3G Express Booth.

3G also proved its life-enhancing potential during the same demo at Glorietta, where Singapore-based OFW Delia Bautista had a memorable video call conversation with her siblings in the Philippines. According to her sister, it was the first time they had seen and talked to each other since Bautista’s departure eight years ago. Other subscribers also got the chance to do video greet and video chat with their favorite celebrities. These demos marked the first occasions when Filipino consumers got a chance to try out 3G technology, and heralded Globe’s continuing efforts to bring this innovation to the country.

Trial users from participating companies can now sample cutting-edge services like video calling and video chatting. Hailed as the future of mobile revolution, 3G is the frist technology to make possible for callers to see each other as they talk, as well as to capture and send video clips to each other.

3G also presents richer possibilities for entertainment. Trial users can access Globe’s 3G Trial Portal, which, among others, features high-quality live video streaming from ANC Channel. It also has music and video clips, allowing trial users to listen to select full-length music tracks from such artists as Norah Jones and Coldplay, and watch clips of ABS-CBN shows such as Pinoy Big Brother or Goin’ Bulilit. The portal also includes enhanced web and WAP browsing and high-speed multimedia downloading capabilities. myGlobe, popular WAP sites like Yahoo and Google and even regular websites can be accessed at DSL/broadband like speeds.

As early as now, Globe’s trial participants are beginning to realize the benefits 3G is bringing to them. It is but fitting that Globe, the same company that revolutionized mobile communications in the Philippines by introducing text messaging, has now become the country’s 3G pioneer as well, with its capacity to empower people and transform lives.

Other activities are already slated for the first quarter of this year, giving more Pinoys the chance to experience the marvels of 3G. These include an office tour and a second series of public demonstrations in Glorietta. Globe is working to make the services fully available to subscribers very soon.