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CBCPnet
CBCPNet Christianizes the Cyberspace
Catholic Church-backed ISP taps FPI for infrastructure deployment
Evangelizing the Catholic faith, along with a more "wholesome" Internet content, takes on a completely different twist by going through cyberspace with the CBCPNet, an Internet Service Provider.
Established by the influential Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines as a concrete response against pornography, CBCPNet is the only one of its kind in the country today that offers a filtered access that blocks the entry of all pornographic, violent, and gambling sites in the Internet. Anybody who uses the CBCPNet access gets only the wholesome, clean, and educational materials.
Partnering with The Web Integrators Network Solutions (TWINS), CBCPNet aims to offer and provide Internet access to its various affiliated organizations, the Catholic dioceses, parishes, Catholic schools, and the public in general.
CBCPNet also aims to set up CBCPNet Centers (commonly known as Internet Cafes) and, the distribution of the CBCPNet Cards. Eman Lim, CEO of CBCP Net, and Managing Director of TWINS, says the centers' goal is become a venue for e-learning, training, and incubation centers for IT-related activities.
WeSolv Partnership
CBCPNet tapped Fujitsu Philippines, Inc. through its networking and communications subsidiary, WeSolv Open Computing, in August last year to provide the ISP with Cisco routers and access devices for its various Points of Presence around the country. "FPI/WeSolv has been providing us with solutions that we can use for the deployment of the network. FPI/WeSolv has been very supportive in providing us training and access to new trends in the networking industry," adds Mr. Lim.
He points out, "We chose FPI/WeSolv because of its extensive experience and knowledge in the deployment of networks, particularly Cisco-based networks. Towards the third quarter, we project an upturn in our relationship with FPI/WeSolv with more equipment purchases."
Subscriber Profile
Mr. Lim also says CBCPNet started with filtered access and "we are happy that some of the major ISP's have followed the solution. The thrust of CBCPNet is to provide the innovations that will help users to use the IT solutions not to their disadvantage but rather to help uplift their morality and values."
CBCPNet was established in December 1999. In just 1 year, CBCPNet subscribers have jumped from 28 to 40,000. Because of CBCPNet's affordable Internet access cost, he claims that the company aims to reach Eastern Visayas, which is the country's poorest region, and the Bicol region, the second poorest region.
Part of its expansion plan is to reach certain areas in Metro Manila where people don't have access to computers like Tondo, San Andres Bukid, and depressed areas in Fairview. CBCPNet is anticipating as much as 200 to 400 schools connected with CBCPNet towards the end of the year.
The next step is to offer online marriage counseling and distance education, as part of its mission to build the Philippines' most extensive Internet network.
Mr. Lim says satellite connectivity is a must solution for an ISP like CBCPNet, since the Philippines comprised of different islands. "Relying only on existing telecom solutions has also created a lot of delays in the deployment, so the satellite solution will be much utilized in the coming months."
"CBCPNet is a forerunner and will set the trend towards the direction of upgrading the standard of moral values, as well as the promotions of IT literacy even up to the Muslim Mindanao region," he finally says. Indeed, CBCPNet is an alternative ISP with a mission to broaden its reach into cyberspace.
