The CEO of PLDT Inc., the country’s largest integrated telecommunications and internet provider, urged them to be ready to rethink established norms “to stay current, to be attuned with the times.”
“In this era, telco is not just technology for us, it’s a lifeline,” said Pangilinan, who delivered the keynote address during Ericsson’s ‘Imagine Live 2024’ business conference.
He said a common problem he encounters is when leaders “tend to get bogged down by conversations about specs and features and use cases, while forgetting to rack our brains and imagine a little more”.
Technology is personal
“Imagine what our networks can become when they are fully integrated with AI, when connections aren’t just about speed but about intelligence, adaptability, and personalization,” Pangilinan said.
“Imagine a world where our networks become a platform for innovation, not just conduits for data but ecosystems that enable new industries, new products, new services, and new ways of life,” he added.
The language of the future
In his remarks, Pangilinan even suggested it might be time to retire the word “digital” altogether.
“Nowadays, if you use the word or adjective ‘digital,’ you’re probably 10 years behind the times,” he said.
Embracing change
The 78-year-old tycoon also poked fun at his own age while outlining the need to embrace change.
Even seasoned leaders like himself must stay adaptable and open to new ideas in a rapidly evolving world, he said.
“There were two young fish swimming along and they happen to meet an older fish—probably myself—who greets them with this salutation, ‘Good morning boys! How is the water?’ The two young fish swim a little further, and eventually, one of them asks the other, ‘What the hell is water?’” said Pangilinan, who recounted a story by the late novelist David Foster Wallace.
Staying current
“We need to stay current, to be attuned with the times. We need to challenge the wisdom we have accumulated over the years,” Pangilinan said.
“Our customers expect their connections to be instantaneous, seamless, reliable, and extensive. Whether it’s a student taking an online class, a doctor doing teleconsultation, or a couple on their honeymoon trying to navigate a new city as they travel—they all need connectivity that works every time and everywhere,” he added.
