Jan. 15, 2021

The PLDT Global-backed Asian Carriers Conference, Inc. (ACC) has announced its partnership with the Pacific Telecommunications Council (PTC) to accelerate the digital revolution and reinvent customer experiences of their member organizations in Asia and the Pacific Rim. PLDT Global Corp (PGC) is the international arm of the Philippines’ largest integrated telecommunications company PLDT.

ACC partners with PTC to kick off the new year at its annual conference PTC ’21: New Realities, from January 17 to 20, 2021.This virtual event will include topics about the reality of a world subject to global threats like pandemics and natural disasters, and how the industry can overcome challenges. Over a thousand participants from all over the world are expected to attend this much-awaited online conference.

On January 20, PLDT Global will lead a session featuring co-founding executive of Netflix and Redbox Mitch Lowe, who will talk about the culture of disruption and how companies should embrace change in order to rebuild the economy. Lowe will bring in his expertise in transforming business models and leadership in his keynote speech.

Another thing to look forward to is the panel discussion on the importance of collaboration and strategic actions in order to deliver better services to customers. PLDT Group Head for Corporate Communications Cathy Yap-Yang will moderate the conversation among top telco and digital industry executives Eric Cevis, Group President at Verizon Partner Solutions for Verizon Communication Services Inc.; Ravi Mahalingam, Senior Vice President at HGC International Business;  Emmanuel Rochas, Chief Executive Officer at Orange International Carriers; and Elisabetta Romano, Chief Executive Officer at Telecom Italia Sparkle.

“Through the years, ACC continues to be a catalyst for partnerships between industry key players who share common goals, ultimately navigating a prosperous telecommunications industry with the end goal of commercializing the innovations resulting from these partnerships, making our industry prepared for the new normal,” said Jovy I. Hernandez, ACC Chairman and Senior Vice President and Head, PLDT and Smart Enterprise Business Group.

“This partnership with the PTC will amplify ACC’s commitment to provide an inclusive venue for industry players to strengthen purposeful collaboration, redefining experiences and unlock digital opportunities to accelerate growth,” said Katrina Luna-Abelarde, President and CEO at PGC. “The ACC will continue to highlight the challenging, yet very critical role of the telecommunications industry, not just in keeping the world connected, but in crafting a clear and sustainable path toward a better future,” she added.

“As a global organization, we are delighted to work with ACC to bring the telco industry forward by helping each other navigate the future of telecommunications, while improving the quality of life in our communities,” said Sharon Nakama, Chief Executive Officer at PTC.

PGC has bagged two major awards for innovation for overseas Filipinos and their families at the prestigious PTC Awards in Honolulu, Hawaii last year. PGC won the awards for “Outstanding Applications Company” and “Outstanding Customer-Facing Innovation” for Free Bee.

Free Bee has become the go-to calling app for Filipinos living and working abroad. This VoIP solution delivers free international call to the Philippines, even if the recipient is not connected to the internet or does not own a smartphone. Free Bee is part of a broader program of PGC’s parent company PLDT to ensure the best customer experience across its business units, in the Philippines and abroad.