MANILA, Philippines -- ePLDT, the IT services unit of the PLDT Group, reported P10.1 billion in total revenues for 2007, driven by its business process outsourcing (BPO) businesses.

ePLDT's yearend revenues rose by nearly 60 percent from the previous year, according to the PLDT Group's 2007 financial report.

Under ePLDT are Ventus, PLDT's call center brand, and SPi, previously an independent company acquired by PLDT in 2006. SPi provides back-office service adding into the parent firm's BPO portfolio.

Consolidated call center revenues grew 24 percent to P3.3 billion resulting from increased utilization of capacity, according to ePLDT. Ventus at present operates nine facilities with a total of 6,400 seats.

SPi, which has operations overseas including the US, India and Vietnam, generated total revenues of P5.3 billion last year.

"The continuing integration of SPi and Ventus proceeds and has resulted in operating efficiencies and enhanced processes across both companies, which we anticipate will contribute to improved margins," said Ray Espinosa, ePLDT president and CEO.

Despite the growth, ePLDT said BPO revenues were strongly affected by the strong appreciation of the peso. Revenues would have increased by another 74 percent if the peso had remained stable year-on- year, according to the ePLDT.

ePLDT now accounts for seven percent of the PLDT Group's consolidated revenues.