In photo: From left, Globe Telecom Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ernest L. Cu; Pasig City Mayor, Hon. Vico Sotto; Ayala Corporation Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala
By Alithea De Jesus
Collaboration provides solutions and this is what Globe and the local government of Pasig City achieved as they forged partnerships to provide high-speed and affordable internet access through GoWiFi and KonekTayo WiFi.
Through this, the residents of Pasig City will have connectivity that would help them in their day-to-day activities that would require internet as the demand for connectivity rises due to the threat of the pandemic.
Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto said, “We are grateful to Globe for initiating this partnership, which will surely be of great help to our constituents. This project complements our current efforts to advance digital equity in the city as we continue to assist our students in online learning, workers in remote working, small businesses in continuing to adapt and families in their daily lives.”
Meanwhile, Ernest Cu, Globe President and CEO said, “We are honored to partner with the city of Pasig in enabling better and richer digital experiences through access to user-friendly and cost-effective internet connectivity for every Pasigueño. With this partnership, we can better help the communities in Pasig thrive amid the demands and pressures of the pandemic. More importantly, Pasig is now in a better position to become a 21st century city, and achieve its digital transformation goals.”
KonekTayo WiFi will deploy buses converted into mobile WiFi hubs, equipped with special antennas that broadcast WiFi signal in select areas in the city, as students and workers rely on reliable home internet for learning and working. KonekTayo WiFi via these buses will be available from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. from Monday to Sunday at the Ilaya Covered Court, Santolan Big Ampitheatre and Kapitolyo San Joaquin Elementary School.
Likewise, key locations such as the Pasig City Hall will be powered with GoWiFi so that Pasigueños have easy and reliable access to the internet. More GoWiFi locations such as the Pasig Mega Market, Rave Park, Plaza Bonifacio, among others, are lined up for implementation in 2021.
Soon, five housing projects, or approximately 3,000 households, will be powered by KonekTayo WiFi, including Pasig City Bliss Housing, Eusebio Bliss Village, Pasig City, Maybunga Housing Project, Eusebio Bliss IV Karangalan, Karangalan Village.
Chairman and CEO of Ayala Corporation and Chairman of Globe Telecom Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala noted, “This age of the pandemic continues to demand timely, innovative solutions and we remain committed to heeding this call through our digital products and services. The Bus WiFi project is an example of this. By deploying WiFi-enabled buses to neighborhoods that are difficult to reach, we’re able to accelerate internet access especially with the sudden need for accessible connectivity spurred by the pandemic.”
With this partnership in place, Pasig City is now part of GoWiFi’s over 2,800 hotspots nationwide, enabling users to get connected with up to 100MBps of high-speed internet within the coverage of a GoWiFi site, regardless of network provider.
Using the KonekTayo WiFi service, residents who are on a limited budget or allowance can choose from a variety of affordable prepaid data packs and enjoy the services without having to invest for an additional modem, or spend on monthly fees.
Globe remains committed to supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, specifically UNSDG No. 9 which emphasizes the roles of infrastructure and innovation as crucial drivers of economic growth and development. Globe is committed to upholding the 10 United Nations Global Compact principles and 10 UN SDGs.