Bigness is better, if you believe Thomas J. Leonard, founding father of professional life coaching. I take a different approach, but, more or less, share the same end-view: that bigness is not (necessarily) bad.
Bigness can bring innovation; bigness can spur growth. Bigness democratizes, bigness liberalizes.
The past two weeks has brought to fore moments of “bigness,” so to speak, especially in the realm of telecommunications. First up was the PLDT-SMART SME Nation’s “BIG Talks”—a conference that gathered entrepreneurs to encourage them to bring their businesses to the next level as part of the “Make It BIG” campaign. This campaign seeks to inspire entrepreneurs to make their businesses big, no matter what level they are in, recognizing the need to motivate small to medium-scale businesses as the backbone of the Philippine economy.
I served as moderator and host of the panel discussion on “Going Global” with guests Bernie Liu of Golden ABC (Penshoppe), the lovely Laura Verallo de Bertotto of VMV Hypoallergenics, and a fellow trustee in the NAPOLCOM Advisory Council on Transformation (NACT), Dr. Cecilio Pedro of Lamoiyan Corporation, makers of Hapee Toothpaste. These were known as the “Top Guns” in local enterprise who have their own respective success stories, who can make many entrepreneurs learn a thing or two from the challenges they faced, and how they brought their business to a global scale. It was a very insightful and uplifting session for all.
The second BIG thing that happened, of course, was the breakthrough purchase of the telecommunications assets of San Miguel Corporation by telco giants PLDT-SMART and Globe Telecom, which included the highly-coveted 700MHz frequency. Acquiring this vital frequency lowers the cost of internet connectivity and allows more people to go online. Industry experts are one in saying that dividing up the 700MHZ frequency between the two dominant telcos is the fastest way to improve internet services and connectivity. We all know the bureaucratic and technological challenges telcos face in putting up cell sites. Moreover, the acquisition of the holding company which owns these frequencies is far better than allowing these frequencies to remain unused or dormant. The recent acquisition allows all to partake of the digital dividend.
Part of the purchase of the San Miguel assets would also be a return to government of some frequencies which would allow a third player to join the industry, thus enhancing competition. In short, this recent development will provide faster internet for all, be it in business or for the consumer which matters the most.