We are taking steps to address the need of customers and the public for enhanced internet services during this COVID outbreak.  Many companies are putting their employees in work-from-home (WFH)  arrangements. And many students are doing class work at home. Moreover, with more people staying at home, there is greater demand for online video entertainment.

First, our fiber network has more than sufficient capacity. It is also unli – so no need to lift data caps. To meet the expected greater need for data of PLDT Home customers, we shall provide a speed boost for fiber customers in Greater Manila – Metro Manila, Rizal, Bulacan, Laguna and Cavite – so that the minimum speed will be 25 Mbps. Perhaps, by next week, if we finish technical preparations. That should be enough to serve the needs of several simultaneous users in the household.

Second, we have made it easier for customers to use our prepaid Fixed Wireless service. The cost of wireless modem has been lowered to P995. And we are extending to April the current promo that doubles the data load of our P199 prepaid data pack from 12 Gb to 24 Gb.

For Smart, the focus right now is on helping customers get immediate access to vital information about what’s happening in the COVID outbreak and on what people can do to protect their health. That’s why Smart had made mobile access to key government websites like that of the DOH for free.

As for our fixed and mobile networks, our focus is on ensuring availability of service and delivering the needed capacity despite the difficulties posed the COVID outbreak. We are taking extraordinary measures to ensure network availability.

Ramon R. Isberto
Head, Public Affairs