Wazzup Pilipinas!
Another year has come and gone, and we wonder about
what is forthcoming as citizens of a highly connected and digitized world. In a society where everything can change in
the blink of an eye, we list down what we think are most likely to happen in
the next dozen months.
LTE
Dominance
4G LTE is big in the Philippines and it is no longer
just available in key urban centers. Far flung regions have also began enjoying
this high speed mobile technology thanks to efforts of telcos such as PLDT’s
wireless unit Smart. Smart’s use of its recently tapped 700MHz will allow for
wider range of LTE signal reach and stronger indoor penetration, making mobile
experience much better than the current 3G standards.
With demand at an all-time high, expect more
compatible phones, faster speeds, and better coverage. To be able to ride on to
this LTE-wave, make sure you’re on an LTE phone – even better if it’s
700MHz-compatible.
Fiber on
a Budget
Just like its nutritious namesake, Fiber is the best
when it comes to ensuring a smooth and zippy internet experience. In recent
years it has become more affordable and more reliable at that—it shouldn’t come
as a surprise if it comes out with an even more affordable offering soon.
Moreover, in 2017, we’re expecting fiber internet
experience to be deployed rapidly. PLDT recently announced that it’s starting
to roll out “fiber-fast broadband on regular phone lines” through technologies
called GiGa Wire and G.fast. Over 500 buildings and residences are expected to
be fiber-boosted soon.
Watch Stars or Be The Star
With both LTE and Fiber gaining widespread popularity,
the rise of on-demand Live video services will undoubtedly follow suit. Fast
connectivity is key for creating and consuming video content. It is also
integral in making broadcasting features such as Facebook Live a hassle-free
experience, continuously evolving how we send and receive live reports and
updates.
NFC FTW!
Tap-to-go cashless payments will become the norm.
We’ve already seen the contactless devices and tap cards make transportation
less stressful, and in 2017 it will become more versatile than ever. In fact it
can already be used in popular convenience store chains.
Cashless
Online Shopping
Many have already seen the online shopping revolution
take shape, but it’s still not as cashless as it should be. A number still
prefer the Cash-On-Delivery (COD) payment method over more modern and
convenient means. The good news, online payment will continue to be more
flexible and convenient, with the rise of virtual payment cards and accounts. With
the increasing acceptance of these channels, no need for everyone to own a
credit card to purchase goods and services from websites and apps.
IoT for
Pinoys
Internet of Things or IoT offerings for Filipinos will
come into fruition. Unlike the ones available in more progressive countries,
the localized version of IoT will cater to the Pinoys’ needs—perhaps a flood
monitoring tool, door sensors, or even a real-time electricity consumption
meter. All of these special functions can be monitored via an easy-to-use
mobile app.
3D
Printing for All
Designing your own scale models will further spur
creativity to an already creative nation. 3D printing can create a new breed of
digital Filipino sculptors that can take the world by storm. Local
manufacturing, too, can benefit from this technology as it will allow them to
create prototypes quickly and at significantly lower cost.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
