CONNECTIVITY UPGRADE. Smart and Globe officials discuss with Governor Gwen Garcia their plans on how to boost internet connectivity in Camotes, an island tourist hub located east of the Cebu mainland. This is in response to observations of low signal transmission on the island during the reopening of tourism activities last weekend. (Photo courtesy of Cebu Provincial Capitol PIO)
CEBU CITY – Telecommunications giants Smart Communications and Globe Telecom have assured the provincial government here they will upgrade their cell site facilities on the islands of Camotes "within a month’s time.”
This developed following complaints from town mayors and resort operators of the poor internet service in the tourist island, located east of the Cebu mainland.
Officials from the two telecommunication firms met with Governor Gwen Garcia on Aug. 11 to discuss the concerns raised by the mayors and resort operators during the reopening of tourism activities there last weekend.
Island guests have reportedly complained of poor signals in Camotes, struggling to have their smartphones and laptops get connected.
Resort owners also find it difficult to promote their businesses because of poor connectivity.
A statement released by Sugbo News, Capitol’s official news site, quoted Jimmy Chua, assistant vice president and head of PLDT Enterprise in the Visayas, as saying they will check their existing sites in Camotes and troubleshoot what needs to be upgraded.
PLDT and its wireless subsidiary Smart have a total of nine sites on the islands.
"Maybe within the month, we will upgrade the signal,” he assured.
It was learned that PLDT's upgrading is ongoing in Camotes with one cell site still pending construction due to some issues with a lot of owners in the area.
During their meeting, the governor offered company officials that she can help them when it comes to issues with local mayors in the setting up of cell sites.
"Tell me what we (can) help, we can provide and I will call all the mayors so you won’t face any challenges in getting permits and road right-of-way," Garcia said in mix Cebuano and English.
Chua said the meeting was an avenue where the government and the private sector can work together to address problems.
Garcia said her only request from the internet service providers was to prioritize the resorts and tourism sites in Cebu especially now that it has reopened tourism activities.
She added having seamless internet connectivity will also bode well with the province's thrust of establishing an e-wallet system to future guests in Cebu's tourism sites.
Globe officials also assured the governor that it will address the connectivity concerns in Camotes.
The firm vowed to look into upgrading its services in the rest of the tourism sites in the province, including Barangay Tan-awan in Oslob, which was the first to restart tourism.
The Provincial Tourism Office will be providing both companies a list of the tourism sites in the province so it can verify its connectivity strength and provide better service. (PNA)
