Easycall Communications Inc. is considering taking a Japanese partner to provide satellite Internet services as value-added offerings.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, Easycall said its board of directors had authorized management to study a potential partnership and negotiate with Japan Satellite and that working with Japan Satellite would enable it to provide satellite connectivity for Internet-based value-added services that run on C-band frequencies ?or such other frequencies as may be determined by the National Telecommunications Commission initially for its current and internal customers.?

The board also approved the sale by the company?s major shareholder, Global e-Business Solutions Inc. (GeBSI), of 38 percent of its holdings in Easycall to Star Asia Technologies.

GeBSI, a company organized in the Philippines, owns 90 percent of Easycall.

From running a paging business to Internet service provision, Easycall is determined to put up a nationwide data communications network to serve even the remotest parts of the Philippines.

Easycall has asked the National Telecommunications Commission for a permit to install, operate, establish and maintain a nationwide data communications network.

In its application, Easycall said the permit it sought was consistent with tgovernment policy of ensuring viable infrastructure and services in information and communications technology ?accessible to all.?