After clean toilets, Tugade guns for free Wi-Fi

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade is set to sign today a memorandum of understanding with PLDT Inc.’s Smart Communications for the provision of free Wi-Fi in key transportation facilities such as ports and bus stations.

According to the Transportation department, Smart was tapped to provide “free use” of Wi-Fi internet services. No other details were given, however.

Tugade announced last week that there would be a 1 gigabyte cap for the free use of internet services.

It was not immediately certain if the same terms would hold in today’s signing event.

Tugade underscored in a separate agreement signing with airline operators last July 7 that the Duterte administration planned to work closely with the private sector.

Toward that end, the department would pursue consultation and cooperation at all times, he said.

The July 7 memorandum of agreement signing involved handing over the responsibility of maintaining all airport toilets at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport passenger terminals to the private sector, led by airline operators.

The move would translate to better services for flyers and savings to the government, airport officials said.

The signing between the Transportation Department and Smart today was linked to the telco’s announcement last week that it was spending P1 billion to upgrade Wi-Fi internet services in key transport hubs, government offices and business establishments across the Philippines.

Specifically, Smart Wi-Fi public hotspots are currently undergoing upgrades in all the 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 Wi-Fi is also now available for use by passengers at the terminals of major bus companies including Alps, Five Star Bus, Isarog Bus, Jam Liner, Philtranco, and Victory Liner, the company said.