The Department of Transportation (DOTr) sealed an agreement with fiber broadband network provider Converge on November 17, 2022 to provide free public Wi-Fi services in passenger terminals of nine international and domestic airports across the country.
Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said the DOTr-Converge agreement will improve connectivity services in airports and provide free Wi-Fi services to passengers in transport terminals.
“This joint project with Converge signifies our commitment to improve the connectivity services in our transport facilities, particularly in our airports. We are launching this initiative to provide connectivity to our passengers through digital technology,” said DoTr Secretary Jaime Bautista.
The DOTr along with its attached agencies Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA), Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) and Davao International Airport Authority (DIAA) partnered with Converge for the provisioning of free internet services in the departure and arrival areas of selected local airports.
The free public Wi-Fi connectivity will cover the arrival and departure areas of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), Francisco Bangoy International Airport and Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA).
Several CAAP-operated airports will also be covered by the project, including Bacolod-Silay Airport, Iloilo International Airport, Laoag International Airport, Pagadian Airport, Tacloban Airport and Zamboanga International Airport.
Under the partnership, Converge will provide free and secure internet service for 120 minutes a day per registered user. Passengers will experience a minimum bandwidth speed of 1GB at 80 percent service reliability at the arrival and departure areas of the passenger terminal buildings of said airports.
Justice Secretary Crispin “Boying” Remulla and Converge CEO CEO and Co-Founder Dennis Anthony Uy, for their part, expressed full support to the DOTr’s initiative providing free network to airport passengers in airports through out the country.
“The DOJ fully supports the transformation of our airports, passengers safety and convenience is a priority of this administration,” said Secretary Remulla.
“Our airports are gateways and play a vital role for a positive impression of the country. It is our honor to extend our capabilities to partner airports to empower travelers in this digital age,” Uy said.
