Free Wi-Fi in select transportation systems and hubs, soon in Manila

FREE WIFI. The Department of Transportation and Smart Communications, Inc. signs Memorandum of Understanding to provide Wi-Fi access for transport passengers in PH. Photo grabbed from dotc.gov.ph

 

The new administration of the Philippines is set to make the country stay connected on the internet by tapping the country’s largest phone carrier, PLDT, to provide free Wi-Fi in 21 transport hubs within 100 days.

According to a Rappler report, it was Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and President Rodrigo Duterte who asked and wanted for an accelerated Wi-Fi rollout. It was also them who tapped PLDT, but the whole agreement is not exclusive to the company as other telecommunication providers can offer this free Wi-Fi service too.

A signing ceremony was held in Mandaluyong, which was attended by PLDT chairman Manny V. Pangilinan and other PLDT executive officials as well. According to PLDT Executive Vice President Eric Alberto, the speed will be up to 1 GB per access point. PLDT’s subsidiary, Smart Communications will implement the Wi-Fi scheme at no cost for the government. Also, PLDT is said to invest P1 billion for this Wi-Fi scheme.

This Free Wi-Fi service will cover Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminals 1,2,3 and 4, Light Rail Transit (LRT1 and LRT2), the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT3) and other airports such as in Davao, Bacolod, Iloilo, Dumaguete, Kalibo, Laguindingan, General Santos, Laoag, Clak, Cebu, Aklan, and Zamboanga, and even in Batangas and Mindoro ports.

 

Source: dotc.gov.ph, Rappler