|
The man behind Philippine
Internet industry
More than 12 years have passed since we Filipinos laid our eyes
on the fascinating World Wide Web (www) yet very few of us know
how the technology all came about in the country.
For every gadget that makes our everyday lives easier, there is
a genius behind it. And for the Philippine Internet industry, it
is Dr. William "Bill" Torres, known as the "Grandfather of
Philippine Internet."
It was Dr. Torres who moved the local information technology
scene to the Internet way back during the 1990s when the
Information Highway began to be of interest to the academe. His
greatest contribution took place in 1992 when he initiated the
first informal negotiations with the US National Science
Foundation to bring the Internet to the Philippines. He took
initial efforts to gain sponsorship for the project from
government agencies.
Through his active role in the National Computer Center (NCC),
Dr. Torres formed a committee in 1990 headed by Arnie del
Rosario of Ateneo de Manila University to look into the
possibility of creating an academic/research network that would
consist of universities and government institutions. However,
said project did not materialize soon but became the backbone
for the local network project that linked the Ateneo de Manila
University, University of the Philippines, Diliman and De La
Salle University.
Just when the academic community became "wired," Dr. Torres
began his stint in the commercial scene. He was the co-founder
of "the first commercial Internet Service Provider (ISP)" �
Mozcom that was established in August 1994 together with Dr.
William Gan. MozCom was the product of a successful study
launched by Dr. Torres and Dr. Gan under Dr. Gan�s former
company, Computer Networks Systems Corporation (ComNet). With
Dr. Torres still actively rallying behind Mozcom, only proves
his revitalized commitment in the Internet industry through the
development of more innovative products and services.
Mozcom is the country�s commercial ISP pioneer established in
1994 and remains to be the most dynamic I.T. enterprise with its
wide and pure-IP network that serves as its competitive edge
among allies in the industry. Mozcom has become an institution
serving the technological needs of the corporate world through
the provision of total Internet-based solutions � virtual
private networks (VPNs), campus network establishment in the
academe, and true dial-up system provision for mobile users from
Northern Luzon to Southern Mindanao included. It continuously
reinvents the technological front through the development of
more innovative products in the relentless aim of "Getting I.T.
Done" for academic and business professionals alike with its
pride of being the "First of Firsts in the Philippine Internet
History."
Dr. Torres� contribution to the industry does not stop as he
continues to perform his role as the current president of the
Philippine Internet Service Organization (PISO). His genius and
triumph in the technological scene did not come as a surprise
for Dr. Torres� credibility stretches far back in time. In fact,
Dr. Torres was there when "IT" all started.
It was in 1966 when he received a scholarship grant from
Fulbright Hays of the United States to pursue a graduate�s
degree in Computer Sciences. He was the "First Filipino to
obtain a Ph.D. in Computer Sciences." His credentials were
acknowledged by the Philippine government and was appointed as
the managing director of the National Computer Center (NCC) in
1986 during the term of former President Corazon C. Aquino. He
held this position until the end of the Aquino government in
1992 during which he simultaneously acted as the chairman of the
Information Technology Coordinating Council, now known as the
National Information Technology Council or NITC.
After more than a decade, Dr. Torres shares his vision for the
industry he all began. "I believe the industry is enjoying a
healthy growth in our country despite many difficulties (i.e.,
very expensive leased lines and dial-up lines) and uncertainties
(metering, convergence policy issues, e-commerce, etc.). The
Internet will be the main information and communication system
for the world and for our country," said Dr Torres. "With all
the activities and events taking place in the Internet scene, we
may not remain as passive players, we must be challenged and
excited and not miss a single opportunity to explore what is
next for this CyberWorld, he stressed.
(On March 29, the Philippines celebrates the 12th year
anniversary of the day the country got hooked to the Internet)
|
