zaiblog | Meralco internet

Meralco internet

Manila’s largest electric company, Meralco, will be launching its own broadband internet over power lines service this quarter.

Power line communication or broadband over power lines (BPL) technology transmits data through electric power lines. The subscriber will only need a BPL modem and plug it directly into a power outlet. Hopefully, as long as there’s a Meralco line, there’s internet access. If you’re thinking about speed, the service will be on par with current DSL services. However, a slight concern here would be some possible interferences with radio or other transmissions.

The launch will also assess the company’s scope and capacity. Meralco and its affiliates hold more than 22 cities and 89 municipalities in the country. With the said move, the company is hoping to increase the range of broadband access to farther areas and rural locations — as apparently only 25% of the population have broadband access.

Meralco is one of the oldest companies in the country and has existed in one form or another since the late 1800’s. The recent shares of the San Miguel Corporation in Meralco has forced the Lopezes to sell the majority of the family’s shares to PLDT — trimming down from 33.4% to only 13.4% — in an effort to prevent San Miguel Corporation’s hostile takeover of Meralco.

Can we say the BPL project is the offspring of Meralco and PLDT’s mutual relationship? Keep in mind, though, these groups have their very own ISPs: PLDT (Smart and PLDT DSL), Lopez (BayanTel and Sky) and SMC (soon, joint venture with Qatar Telecom).