[10 October 2019] PLDT wireless subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) has signed an agreement with Lapu-Lapu City to roll out Google Station in key areas of the city.
Under the agreement, Smart will deploy the service at the Lapu-Lapu City Hall, E-Library, City College and District Hospital.
Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan and Smart WiFi head Regina Pineda attended the signing ceremonies.
In the same ceremony, Smart also turned over Smart Infocast, a web-based text message broadcast solution that can enable the city government of Lapu-Lapu to send news broadcasts, weather bulletins, and other critical information to its residents via text message.
It also allows registered subscribers to send reports or feedback to the system administrator.
“This partnership with Smart to offer fast, free and open Wi-Fi connectivity is a blessing to our constituents. We are very happy and grateful for their support,” Mayor Chan said, adding that connectivity is vital to residents of Lapu-Lapu, who now use social media and chat apps to communicate with family and loved ones.
“As a tourist destination, connectivity in Lapu-Lapu City is also important in attracting tourists, who can also take advantage of the free Wi-Fi. This can also boost tourism in the city,” Chan added.
“We are happy to work hand-in-hand with the Lapu-Lapu City government in providing fast and free Wi-Fi service to its citizens, to improve the quality of life in the city and make high-quality connectivity more accessible to more Filipinos nationwide,” said Juan Victor Hernandez, senior vice president and head of Enterprise for PLDT and Smart.
“We look forward to helping boost Mayor Chan and his city’s efforts at delivering timely and efficient government services to his people, particularly in health and education,” he added.
Once up, these venues will join the growing list of the more than 400 Google Station venues around the country announced by Smart and Google Philippines earlier this year.
Google Station is also available in other heavy foot-traffic areas such as airports and other transportation hubs like bus stations and seaports, hospitals, and malls across the country.
The nationwide rollout of Google Station complements Smart’s ongoing network expansion and modernization program across the Philippines.
For 2019, PLDT capex is expected to reach P78.4 billion, including allocations for the expansion of PLDT’s fiber broadband service, which also supports Smart’s mobile network by providing high-capacity links for cellular base stations.
