Converge opens new biz center in Cebu to grow subscriber base

FIBER broadband provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc. has opened its newest business center in Cebu City to solidify its commitment to the growing subscriber base in the province.The listed firm on Thursday launched the new business center strategically located in downtown Cebu City at One Central Mall together with its marketing services provider, JFiberInternet Services Corp., owned by Cebu businessmen Justin and Jonathan Uy.“We are very glad that Converge is in the care of Justin and Jonathan, who are both homegrown with well established businesses in Cebu. We are sure that under their leadership, Converge will reach new heights in the market,” Converge head of sales for consumer and small and mid-size enterprise Ariel Concejero said.Quoting company founder Dennis Anthony Uy, JFiber chairman Justin Uy said internet access should not be a privilege of a few, but a right of every Filipino. “We share the vision of Dennis and Grace Uy to provide Filipinos and in our case, Cebuanos, with world-class, pure end-to-end fiber internet connectivity. Over the period of one year, we at JFiber have grown to around 400 employees, creating jobs in parts of Metro Cebu. This is proof that we are committed to support the growing network of Converge in the province.”JFiber chief executive Jonathan Uy said with the partnership of the two firms, they also provide local employment opportunities for Cebuanos.“Today, as much as 400 employees and their families are being supported by the operations. We’re determined to make Converge the number one ISP (internet service provider,” he said.Speaking during the launch, Cebu City Vice Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia said the city government is hoping for a strong partnership with Converge and JFiber, especially in its aim for Cebu City to become a smart city.“It is the vision of our good mayor Michael Rama to make Cebu like Singapore. How will this happen? Cebu City needs to be a smart city, and one of the foundations of that is having reliable and fast internet,” he said.Converge regional general manager for VisMin Michael Maquiran added that the new business center would facilitate different transactions and services to address customer-related concerns, especially more and more Filipinos are venturing out of their homes as restrictions have been eased.Converge business centers facilitate customer transactions such as service inquiries, application processing, plan upgrades, billing-related transactions, technical reporting, and repair requests, among others.The fiber internet provider continues to strengthen its presence in Cebu with network coverage spanning the cities of Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, Talisay, Bogo, Carcar, Toledo and Naga.Aside from the Cebu City business center, the company also inaugurated the regional head office and business center in Oakridge Business Park in Mandaue City last year, where the VisMin regional headquarters is also located.Converge has been expanding its fiber network by employing its Go Deep and Go National twin strategies.Through its Go Deep initiative, Converge fortifies its network in strategic areas to reach unserved and underserved customers.Meanwhile, its Go National strategy enables the widening of its network to new markets, including the Visayas and Mindanao.As of end-June 2022, Converge had already stretched its fiber network to more than 13.5 million homes, representing 52.1 percent of household coverage nationwide.