Philippnes can be Asia’s Internet hub - PLDT 
By Ian C. Sayson, The Manila Times - 17 July 1997 

With the establishment of the first local Internet backbone, the Philippine Internet Exchange (PhIX), the country has moved closer to becoming one of Asia’s Internet hub, according to the Philippine Long Distance and Telephone Co. (PLDT). 

"It is strategic move not only for us but also for the Philippines," said Cesar G. Reyes, first vice president of PLDT, which put up the local Internet backbone. 

The Internet exchange paves the way for a direct and faster link between Internet service providers in the country, which translates to faster access to content and exchange of information for local Internet users. 

Reyes, who also heads Infocom Technologies Inc., PLDT’s ISP unit, said the telecom giant is hoping that by coming out with the region’s first Internet exchange, the Philippines strengthens its position of eventually becoming the Internet hub of Asia. 

Singapore is said to be positioning as regional Internet hub and will be launching its own Internet exchange within the year, he added. 

Right now PLDT’s earnings from PhIX is quite limited as it charges a fixed fee for the leased line it provides to ISPs. But this may dramatically change once regulators alloe a shift into a usage-based fee for Internet services.