I was told that network personnel of top rivals Smart and Globe are no longer sleeping these days because of the intense competition between operators to be the first to commercially deploy 3G in the country.

Being "the first" in the market probably has its huge rewards — both financially (in the form of new subscribers) and psychologically (bragging rights).

The last time out, Globe beat Smart to the draw when it announced in August last year that it was the first local mobile phone operator to complete a 3G test run, openly declaring its readiness to offer 3G.

Not to be outdone, Smart conducted its own 3G trial run in November. In early January, it consequently disclosed that it has chosen Nokia as its supplier for 3G equipment worth millions of dollars.

As a bait to lure potential customers, both companies are now allowing those interested to try 3G services in designated areas. We’ve heard nothing of this sort from Digitel, brand owner of Sun Cellular, and Cure.

It will perhaps take some time for these guys to adapt to the torrid pace which Smart and Globe have set.

But whether it will be Smart or Globe who would be the first to cross the line, whether this summer or whenever, I don’t think it will have a personal bearing on me. I don’t have the money, much less a 3G phone, to take part in this rush. — Melvin G. Calimag

Chinese telecom equipment manufacturing giant Huawei Technology has recently closed a contract with De la Salle University in Manila for the upgrading of the school’s entire networking system. With its aggressive push in the local market, Huawei is penetrating the local networking market that would send signals to its competitors.

IBM Phils has closed a R200-million contract with the Department of Trade & Industry (DTI) for the upgrading of the department’s PCs and networking systems, outclassing its rivals ­ HP, Dell, Acer and other vendors. Years back, HP got the DTI contract for the supply of PCs to public high schools. This time around, it’s IBM that got the contract. Well as they say, there are no permanent friends but only permanent interests.

Did you know that most of PLDT’s desktop PCs are supplied by Acer? With its price points and perhaps good marketing strategy, Acer could dominate over IBM’s Think Centers and HP’s Pavilions at PLDT.

Meanwhile, a reporter of a daily broadsheet has recently been victimized by a thief in Netopia Internet Café at Greenbelt 1 in Makati. The reporter was writing her news story after attending a forum sponsored by the Black & White movement. She placed her bag on the back of her chair and a guy who apparently disguised himself as one of the customers, picked up her bag and went out of Netopia unnoticed.

Be careful when you are inside any Internet café, who knows another thief is lurking around to find another victim. And please put your bags and things infront of you. — Edu H. Lopez

He (Yes He): He is cute! Handsome pala. Crush ko si UB.

She: He is such a debonaire! I think I have developed a crush on AP.

She 2 (speaking to UB): Aren’t you the male model who appeared on a facial care print ad? Yes. It’s you!

UB is the dashing founder-chairman of a global designer and manufacturer of professional audio equipment, while AP is a top regional executive of a design software company. UB and AP faced the local media recently to announce their respective company’s synergistic partnership.

What a great way to start the year right! Attractive global company executives visiting Manila and appearing in local press conferences and unknowingly increasing attendance through their wits, looks, intelligence and communication skills.

If I am an editor, I will not discourage my writers to have crushes on their story subjects because it has its merits. Like it promotes diligence to interview and pursue new stories ahead of competition. — Edison D. Ong