Comments on: Making Sense of the NBN Project http://www.yugatech.com/blog/telecoms/making-sense-of-the-nbn-project/ Philippines, Technology News & Reviews Sun, 07 Sep 2008 13:24:41 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: NBN ZTE Project: A Closer Look | YugaTech | Philippines, Technology News & Reviews http://www.yugatech.com/blog/telecoms/making-sense-of-the-nbn-project/#comment-215945 NBN ZTE Project: A Closer Look | YugaTech | Philippines, Technology News & Reviews Fri, 14 Mar 2008 17:48:01 +0000 http://www.yugatech.com/blog/telecoms/making-sense-of-the-nbn-project/#comment-215945 [...] that the Bill of Quantities (BoQ) of the controversial ZTE National Broadband Network Project by the Philippine government has been released, I was given a copy and asked to take a look at it [...] [...] that the Bill of Quantities (BoQ) of the controversial ZTE National Broadband Network Project by the Philippine government has been released, I was given a copy and asked to take a look at it [...]

]]> By: Leigh http://www.yugatech.com/blog/telecoms/making-sense-of-the-nbn-project/#comment-214570 Leigh Tue, 19 Feb 2008 18:39:29 +0000 http://www.yugatech.com/blog/telecoms/making-sense-of-the-nbn-project/#comment-214570 The NBN project will solve a lot of dillemas and problems to not just government agencies but to the public as well. 1. Goverment agencies will be interconnected including sixth class barangays. This allows for information sharing among government agencies such as NBI (National Bureaue of Investigations), SSS (Social Security System), BIR , NSO (National Statistics Office), GSIS, Pag-ibig, PhilHealth and the likes. It will be easier to get the data (like birth certificate, enroll for a SSS loan, file for a NBI clearance, and etc) that we need especially for the people who are located in the remote areas without going to the Main Offices/Headquarters. Heck, I can still remember that when I filed an NBI clearance here in Muntinilupa, I was still advised to go to the main office because they need to verify some information not in their database. It is easier to check the status of your SSS, Pag-ibig and PhilHealth if you have one ATM/card/ID that you can immediately use and swipe in the nearest kiosk. 2. Public schools will have the means to access information and be as technically competitive as other private schools who have the means and tools. 3. Government agencies can easily audit and track the performance of their employees. With the NBN Infrastructure they can easily setup up performance monitoring tools that can monitor the quality of their work. If the information can easily be accessed, auditors can easily verify the viability and quality of their work. (The same concept as used in contact centers and field workers.) 4. Different government agencies spend a whole deal for the services they acquired from the private telecommunications companies. Think of all the leased lines, direct lines, mobile phones, call center solutions that they need to put up per agency. For example, let's say one agency acquires 300 mobile phones for their employees and let's say that they get those phones at plan 800 at the minimum so their monthly expenses for the mobile phones alone will be 240,000. You may not feel the ROI on the first year but remember ROI only happens after the first year of its implementation. 5. Lastly, will this help in cleaning red tape and corruption? In my opinion, yes this will help in cleaning red tape and corruption. The reason red tape and corruption our prevalent is due to the fact that our processes and documents are not properly organized in a systematic way that it can be easily accessed anytime and anywhere. The only way to easily check and balance a process is if the corresponding agencies are transparent to each other through easy and immediate access to information. The national broadband project is something that we can all benefit from not because we can boast it to other countries that we have that kind of technology but to ensure that proper attention and service from the government are delivered to the municipalities in the provincial areas. Second, digital divide among public and private schools will be lessen. Most of all, to clean the bureaucracy and red tape in our government's processes by ensuring the transparency of information across government agencies. The NBN project will solve a lot of dillemas and problems to not just government agencies but to the public as well.

1. Goverment agencies will be interconnected including sixth class barangays. This allows for information sharing among government agencies such as NBI (National Bureaue of Investigations), SSS (Social Security System), BIR , NSO (National Statistics Office), GSIS, Pag-ibig, PhilHealth and the likes. It will be easier to get the data (like birth certificate, enroll for a SSS loan, file for a NBI clearance, and etc) that we need especially for the people who are located in the remote areas without going to the Main Offices/Headquarters. Heck, I can still remember that when I filed an NBI clearance here in Muntinilupa, I was still advised to go to the main office because they need to verify some information not in their database. It is easier to check the status of your SSS, Pag-ibig and PhilHealth if you have one ATM/card/ID that you can immediately use and swipe in the nearest kiosk.

2. Public schools will have the means to access information and be as technically competitive as other private schools who have the means and tools.

3. Government agencies can easily audit and track the performance of their employees. With the NBN Infrastructure they can easily setup up performance monitoring tools that can monitor the quality of their work. If the information can easily be accessed, auditors can easily verify the viability and quality of their work. (The same concept as used in contact centers and field workers.)

4. Different government agencies spend a whole deal for the services they acquired from the private telecommunications companies. Think of all the leased lines, direct lines, mobile phones, call center solutions that they need to put up per agency. For example, let’s say one agency acquires 300 mobile phones for their employees and let’s say that they get those phones at plan 800 at the minimum so their monthly expenses for the mobile phones alone will be 240,000. You may not feel the ROI on the first year but remember ROI only happens after the first year of its implementation.

5. Lastly, will this help in cleaning red tape and corruption? In my opinion, yes this will help in cleaning red tape and corruption. The reason red tape and corruption our prevalent is due to the fact that our processes and documents are not properly organized in a systematic way that it can be easily accessed anytime and anywhere. The only way to easily check and balance a process is if the corresponding agencies are transparent to each other through easy and immediate access to information.

The national broadband project is something that we can all benefit from not because we can boast it to other countries that we have that kind of technology but to ensure that proper attention and service from the government are delivered to the municipalities in the provincial areas. Second, digital divide among public and private schools will be lessen. Most of all, to clean the bureaucracy and red tape in our government’s processes by ensuring the transparency of information across government agencies.

]]> By: elmer valenzuela http://www.yugatech.com/blog/telecoms/making-sense-of-the-nbn-project/#comment-154074 elmer valenzuela Sat, 29 Sep 2007 08:58:17 +0000 http://www.yugatech.com/blog/telecoms/making-sense-of-the-nbn-project/#comment-154074 In terms of transparency, all government agencies are required to prepare their Annual Procurement Program to be submitted to the Department of Budget and Management and to be presented come budget hearing at both the senate and congress. This Program outlines and specifies all the requirements, services, projects etc. to be procured or to be undertaken by an agency for the following year. Unfortunately, as what Senator Roxas, if im not mistaken, found out last Wednesday at the senate inquiry, this NBN particularly the ZTE deal, is not included in the Annual Procurement Program of the implementing agency which is the DOTC. In cases like this, i think this is where AndresB's idea of media vigilance should come in. But sad to say, this country has only a handful of Jarius Bondocs. In terms of transparency, all government agencies are required to prepare their Annual Procurement Program to be submitted to the Department of Budget and Management and to be presented come budget hearing at both the senate and congress. This Program outlines and specifies all the requirements, services, projects etc. to be procured or to be undertaken by an agency for the following year. Unfortunately, as what Senator Roxas, if im not mistaken, found out last Wednesday at the senate inquiry, this NBN particularly the ZTE deal, is not included in the Annual Procurement Program of the implementing agency which is the DOTC. In cases like this, i think this is where AndresB’s idea of media vigilance should come in. But sad to say, this country has only a handful of Jarius Bondocs.

]]> By: Guesting on The Explainer @ ANC about the NBN | YugaTech | Philippine Technology News & Reviews http://www.yugatech.com/blog/telecoms/making-sense-of-the-nbn-project/#comment-154031 Guesting on The Explainer @ ANC about the NBN | YugaTech | Philippine Technology News & Reviews Sat, 29 Sep 2007 01:54:29 +0000 http://www.yugatech.com/blog/telecoms/making-sense-of-the-nbn-project/#comment-154031 [...] be guesting on ANC’s The Explainer with Manolo this Tuesday to share my thoughts about the NBN Project. I wrote some of the underlying technical issues (politics aside) over at PTB and wanted to solicit [...] [...] be guesting on ANC’s The Explainer with Manolo this Tuesday to share my thoughts about the NBN Project. I wrote some of the underlying technical issues (politics aside) over at PTB and wanted to solicit [...]

]]> By: Does the NBN Project makes sense? -- Pinoy Tech Blog - The Philippines’ Premier Technology Blog http://www.yugatech.com/blog/telecoms/making-sense-of-the-nbn-project/#comment-154026 Does the NBN Project makes sense? -- Pinoy Tech Blog - The Philippines’ Premier Technology Blog Sat, 29 Sep 2007 01:16:44 +0000 http://www.yugatech.com/blog/telecoms/making-sense-of-the-nbn-project/#comment-154026 [...] the recent announcement that the President has ordered the NBN Project to be suspended and that there are pending cases in the Ombudsman and the Supreme Court on the [...] [...] the recent announcement that the President has ordered the NBN Project to be suspended and that there are pending cases in the Ombudsman and the Supreme Court on the [...]

]]> By: andresB http://www.yugatech.com/blog/telecoms/making-sense-of-the-nbn-project/#comment-154020 andresB Fri, 28 Sep 2007 23:18:54 +0000 http://www.yugatech.com/blog/telecoms/making-sense-of-the-nbn-project/#comment-154020 Ang issue ng NBN deal ay repleksyon ng kawalan ng early awareness at vigilance sa parte ng mga mamamayan dahil sa kakulangan ng sapat na impormasyon tungkol dito. Ang issue ay inilalabas lang kapag sensationalized na. Sana ay gumawa ang media, bilang siyang pangunahing source ng impormasyon ng mga tao, ng pamamaraan na ang mga major projects ng gobyerno ay nailalathala at nagkakaroon ng regular updating ng mga nangyayari, simula sa conceptualization hanggang sa matapos. Ito ay makapagpropromote ng trnsparency sa mga proyekto ng pamahalaan. Ang issue ng NBN deal ay repleksyon ng kawalan ng early awareness at vigilance sa parte ng mga mamamayan dahil sa kakulangan ng sapat na impormasyon tungkol dito. Ang issue ay inilalabas lang kapag sensationalized na.
Sana ay gumawa ang media, bilang siyang pangunahing source ng impormasyon ng mga tao, ng pamamaraan na ang mga major projects ng gobyerno ay nailalathala at nagkakaroon ng regular updating ng mga nangyayari, simula sa conceptualization hanggang sa matapos. Ito ay makapagpropromote ng trnsparency sa mga proyekto ng pamahalaan.

]]> By: Global Voices Online » Philippines: Corruption scandal reaches the presidential palace http://www.yugatech.com/blog/telecoms/making-sense-of-the-nbn-project/#comment-153924 Global Voices Online » Philippines: Corruption scandal reaches the presidential palace Thu, 27 Sep 2007 21:20:11 +0000 http://www.yugatech.com/blog/telecoms/making-sense-of-the-nbn-project/#comment-153924 [...] comments on the senate investigation of the contract: “Despite the politics behind the issue, I was more [...] [...] comments on the senate investigation of the contract: “Despite the politics behind the issue, I was more [...]

]]> By: Current » Attack of the Romulan (liveblogging the Senate hearing) http://www.yugatech.com/blog/telecoms/making-sense-of-the-nbn-project/#comment-153791 Current » Attack of the Romulan (liveblogging the Senate hearing) Wed, 26 Sep 2007 02:42:39 +0000 http://www.yugatech.com/blog/telecoms/making-sense-of-the-nbn-project/#comment-153791 [...] Neri: NBN project’s merits then described: technical description…(jives with Yugatech description, without mentioning specific contractor). It was found to be economic viable. I would [...] [...] Neri: NBN project’s merits then described: technical description…(jives with Yugatech description, without mentioning specific contractor). It was found to be economic viable. I would [...]

]]> By: BrianB http://www.yugatech.com/blog/telecoms/making-sense-of-the-nbn-project/#comment-153686 BrianB Mon, 24 Sep 2007 19:26:07 +0000 http://www.yugatech.com/blog/telecoms/making-sense-of-the-nbn-project/#comment-153686 Hey all of you Inquirer.net traffic, go to my site. Just click BrianB. Thanks. Hey all of you Inquirer.net traffic, go to my site. Just click BrianB. Thanks.

]]> By: elmer valenzuela http://www.yugatech.com/blog/telecoms/making-sense-of-the-nbn-project/#comment-153635 elmer valenzuela Mon, 24 Sep 2007 09:27:12 +0000 http://www.yugatech.com/blog/telecoms/making-sense-of-the-nbn-project/#comment-153635 nbn project? ung nbn channel 4 nga hindi pa ma-develop..panahon pa ata ng JD at DM Transit ung station na un nbn project? ung nbn channel 4 nga hindi pa ma-develop..panahon pa ata ng JD at DM Transit ung station na un

]]> By: ceejay http://www.yugatech.com/blog/telecoms/making-sense-of-the-nbn-project/#comment-153632 ceejay Mon, 24 Sep 2007 08:51:47 +0000 http://www.yugatech.com/blog/telecoms/making-sense-of-the-nbn-project/#comment-153632 Ian said: "The people behind these projects are competent — heck, I would dare say that they are patriotic, given the measly wages they receive for the amount of service they provide." Thanks for this Ian. I'm not sure if we already met personally. We(PREGINET NetOps) appreciate the recognition on your comment. Ian said: "That said, I believe we already have similar projects, albeit using private carriers for the long-haul: PREGINET, for example, uses Globe/Innove (last I checked, but I could be wrong since it’s been two years since I have had a chance working with them) for their regional access points, with wireless (for some areas) for last-mile connectivity." Yes, we are currently connected to Globe, PHOpenIX and APAN/TEIN2 network. We have more than 300 Mbs of aggregate outbound bandwidth for the R&D and commodity transit. We are still using wifi as a last-mile solution for remote connectivity. Ian said: "Speaking of last-mile, I wonder what happened to ASTI’s project with NTT on WIPAS? I was part of the field testing then, and the results were pretty impressive: 40MBps for up to two km. That’s using point-to-multipoint." A failure due to leadership issue. This is what happen when there are too many non-technical person involved on a technical project. :( Ian said:
“The people behind these projects are competent — heck, I would dare say that they are patriotic, given the measly wages they receive for the amount of service they provide.”

Thanks for this Ian. I’m not sure if we already met personally. We(PREGINET NetOps) appreciate the recognition on your comment.

Ian said:
“That said, I believe we already have similar projects, albeit using private carriers for the long-haul: PREGINET, for example, uses Globe/Innove (last I checked, but I could be wrong since it’s been two years since I have had a chance working with them) for their regional access points, with wireless (for some areas) for last-mile connectivity.”

Yes, we are currently connected to Globe, PHOpenIX and APAN/TEIN2 network. We have more than 300 Mbs of aggregate outbound bandwidth for the R&D and commodity transit. We are still using wifi as a last-mile solution for remote connectivity.

Ian said:
“Speaking of last-mile, I wonder what happened to ASTI’s project with NTT on WIPAS? I was part of the field testing then, and the results were pretty impressive: 40MBps for up to two km. That’s using point-to-multipoint.”

A failure due to leadership issue. This is what happen when there are too many non-technical person involved on a technical project. :(

]]> By: leo http://www.yugatech.com/blog/telecoms/making-sense-of-the-nbn-project/#comment-153566 leo Sun, 23 Sep 2007 10:07:21 +0000 http://www.yugatech.com/blog/telecoms/making-sense-of-the-nbn-project/#comment-153566 one word: CORRUPTION one word: CORRUPTION

]]> By: Gimme some juice! | YugaTech | Philippine Technology News & Reviews http://www.yugatech.com/blog/telecoms/making-sense-of-the-nbn-project/#comment-153550 Gimme some juice! | YugaTech | Philippine Technology News & Reviews Sun, 23 Sep 2007 04:11:33 +0000 http://www.yugatech.com/blog/telecoms/making-sense-of-the-nbn-project/#comment-153550 [...] Punzi gives us a blog lecture on Exemptions from Competitive Bidding in relation to the NBN fiasco. In the news, Pres. Arroyo has just ordered the indefinite suspension of the [...] [...] Punzi gives us a blog lecture on Exemptions from Competitive Bidding in relation to the NBN fiasco. In the news, Pres. Arroyo has just ordered the indefinite suspension of the [...]

]]> By: Mark M.V. Salin http://www.yugatech.com/blog/telecoms/making-sense-of-the-nbn-project/#comment-153530 Mark M.V. Salin Sat, 22 Sep 2007 15:40:56 +0000 http://www.yugatech.com/blog/telecoms/making-sense-of-the-nbn-project/#comment-153530 I've been hearing negative feedback about WiMAX worldwide. One of them will be on: http://www.telstra.com.au/abouttelstra/media/podcasts_transcript.cfm?ObjectID=6 I’ve been hearing negative feedback about WiMAX worldwide. One of them will be on:

http://www.telstra.com.au/abouttelstra/media/podcasts_transcript.cfm?ObjectID=6

]]> By: Miguel http://www.yugatech.com/blog/telecoms/making-sense-of-the-nbn-project/#comment-153519 Miguel Sat, 22 Sep 2007 11:43:23 +0000 http://www.yugatech.com/blog/telecoms/making-sense-of-the-nbn-project/#comment-153519 PLDT or Globe can build this network, but maybe the powers that be believe those companies are too powerful already. PLDT or Globe can build this network, but maybe the powers that be believe those companies are too powerful already.

]]> By: TimedOut http://www.yugatech.com/blog/telecoms/making-sense-of-the-nbn-project/#comment-153516 TimedOut Sat, 22 Sep 2007 11:31:04 +0000 http://www.yugatech.com/blog/telecoms/making-sense-of-the-nbn-project/#comment-153516 Most of us are techie here so lets settle a bit. Let's make these senators ask some of these questions to benefit the more percentage of our nation's non techie ones, including themselves. On the other note, I think this project would even cost more than presented value. To maintain this nationwide network would be a pain. If pushed through, i hope it won't end up being sold to a private sectors in the long term.... and money has gone to pockets of our dear politicians. Most of us are techie here so lets settle a bit. Let’s make these senators ask some of these questions to benefit the more percentage of our nation’s non techie ones, including themselves.

On the other note, I think this project would even cost more than presented value. To maintain this nationwide network would be a pain. If pushed through, i hope it won’t end up being sold to a private sectors in the long term…. and money has gone to pockets of our dear politicians.

]]> By: JC John SESE Cuneta http://www.yugatech.com/blog/telecoms/making-sense-of-the-nbn-project/#comment-153509 JC John SESE Cuneta Sat, 22 Sep 2007 10:44:03 +0000 http://www.yugatech.com/blog/telecoms/making-sense-of-the-nbn-project/#comment-153509 Yah it is true, a senator was asking what BroadBand is. They're confused between "BroadBand", "DSL", "Cable Internet", add to that, "xDSL", "aDSL", "Modem"... then "Dial-Up modem", "Cable Modem", "DSL Modem", then router, then, then.... The people should be the one to move these stuff forward as our government officials mostly do not have the know-how about tech stuff.. Yah it is true, a senator was asking what BroadBand is. They’re confused between “BroadBand”, “DSL”, “Cable Internet”, add to that, “xDSL”, “aDSL”, “Modem”… then “Dial-Up modem”, “Cable Modem”, “DSL Modem”, then router, then, then….

The people should be the one to move these stuff forward as our government officials mostly do not have the know-how about tech stuff..

]]> By: angel reyes http://www.yugatech.com/blog/telecoms/making-sense-of-the-nbn-project/#comment-153455 angel reyes Sat, 22 Sep 2007 01:06:56 +0000 http://www.yugatech.com/blog/telecoms/making-sense-of-the-nbn-project/#comment-153455 abe you missed the point or you were not listening intently. basic issues are: 1. deal was done behind our backs. 2. there was a dispute on the "amount" (who will benefit, how much is paid to whom, advances, etc) 3. the government with their resources did not provide a "baseline" specification for the network (so is the ZTE deal comprehensive enough coz they have inside info of what the govt needs). 4. if it went pushed thru and "everybody happy" it would just be inserted in the annual budget (for your info the annual budget is like reading three pldt directory), we end up paying it without us knowing - just like the north rail project which again is financed by China. 5. Neda was hesitant at first to endorsed it, signed it at the last minute, and Sec. Neri was transferred to CHED. 6. Do the math - something is fishy. abe you missed the point or you were not listening intently. basic issues are:
1. deal was done behind our backs.
2. there was a dispute on the “amount” (who will benefit, how much is paid to whom, advances, etc)
3. the government with their resources did not provide a “baseline” specification for the network (so is the ZTE deal comprehensive enough coz they have inside info of what the govt needs).
4. if it went pushed thru and “everybody happy” it would just be inserted in the annual budget (for your info the annual budget is like reading three pldt directory), we end up paying it without us knowing - just like the north rail project which again is financed by China.
5. Neda was hesitant at first to endorsed it, signed it at the last minute, and Sec. Neri was transferred to CHED.
6. Do the math - something is fishy.

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