Capital outlay pegged at nearly P1B
[8 July 2016] PLDT subsidiary and wireless leader Smart Communications (Smart) is rapidly widening the footprint of its Smart Wifi service in key transport hubs, government offices, and business establishments across the country.
Smart has earmarked close to P1 billion for the rollout, which forms part of PLDT’s P43-billion capital expenditure program for this year alone.
Smart Wifi public hotspots are currently undergoing upgrades in all the four terminals of Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City; Francisco Bangoy International Airport in Davao; Iloilo International Airport; Bacolod-Silay International Airport in Negros Occidental; and Dumaguete-Sibulan Airport in Negros Oriental. Smart WiFi is also now available for use by waiting passengers at the terminals of major bus companies including Alps, Five Star Bus, Isarog Bus, Jam Liner, Philtranco, and Victory Liner.
Aside from major transport hubs, Smart Wifi has also expanded to cover more public areas, such as city halls, schools, and establishments such as malls, restaurants, and coffee shops, among many others, addressing the growing demand for more public Wifi hotspots in the country.
“Over the past months, we have aggressively broadened the Smart Wifi footprint through our key partnerships with government institutions and business establishments, consequently improving internet access and coverage nationwide,” said Eric R. Alberto, Executive Vice President at PLDT and Smart, and ePLDT President and CEO.
“The Smart Wifi rollout complements our long-standing efforts to give Filipinos a seamless digital experience, while providing businesses and institutions solutions that suit their needs, and a platform to reach out to a wider audience,” he added.
Internet for All
“Smart has built a solid reputation of connecting Filipinos, and Smart Wifi is very much part of our commitment to make ‘Internet for All’ happen through faster, more reliable, and more accessible products and services,” said Kat Luna-Abelarde, FVP and Wireless Consumer Operations Head at Smart.
Beyond providing internet access to as many people as possible, Smart Wifi is also designed as an essential tool for small and medium enterprises and institutions.
“With more people using Wifi provided by establishments they patronize, Wifi connectivity has been proven to contribute to business growth," said Alberto. "Smart Wifi is designed to do this and more, by equipping SMEs and various organizations with an indispensable tool to engage customers, build loyalty, and gather significant information that will help them understand customer needs."
With Smart Wifi, users can take advantage of free connectivity for an initial number of minutes, after which the service allows them to conveniently purchase credits from Smart to extend and boost their internet session.
The rapid expansion of Smart Wifi is supported by PLDT’s robust and resilient fixed and wireless networks, backed by the country’s most extensive fiber optic footprint spanning over 100,000 kilometers, and its three-year network expansion program to deliver faster, more reliable, and more affordable internet services to more Filipinos nationwide.
