Products and Services
Talk 'N Text prepaid GSM service
Piltel markets its prepaid GSM service, under the brand Talk 'N Text which operates on Smart's GSM platform. In addition to traditional voice services, Talk 'N Text allows customers to send and receive text messages. Under the arrangement with Smart, Piltel pays for marketing the Talk 'N Text service, acquiring subscribers, selling handsets and phone cards, and providing customer service, while Smart provides and manages the GSM network infrastructure.
AMPS/CDMA Services
Piltel leases out AMPS/CDMA telephone lines to a few corporate subscribers. The AMPS/CDMA services were significantly reduced with the decommissioning of all but seven cell sites in 2002 as a result of the increasing popularity of GSM and the inability of Piltel's AMPS/CDMA networks to provide services required by consumers. As of December 31, 2006, only six cell sites remain active.
Fixed Line Services
Piltel operates six LEC networks in the cities of Baguio, Olongapo and Puerto Princesa and in the municipalities of Subic, Boac and Masbate. All of Piltel's existing telephone exchanges are digital systems.As of December 31, 2006, Piltel also operated 317 coinphones, which provide access to the telephone system on a “walk-in” basis in rural areas and 488 cardphones. Coinphone customers are charged a fee for each call made.Pursuant to its E.O. 109 obligations, Piltel launched LEC services in General Santos in March 1998, in Sarangani and Polomolok in April 1998, in Digos in May 1998 and in Bansalan in August 2003.