Aboitiz, Globe join forces to give poor access to cheap, quality internet

The Aboitiz Group and Globe Telecom partnered to widen affordable broadband access in the Visayas and Mindanao, a statement on Wednesday showed.

The latest tie-up between the two corporate giants involves Globe’s community Wi-Fi service called KonekTayo WiFi and the Aboitiz Group’s Aboitiz InfraCapital (AIC), which is in the cell tower construction business.

The venture is initially targeting select barangays in Davao and Cebu.

KonekTayo WiFi is a fast and secure community Wi-Fi service that aims to provide households with affordable internet.

“We are pleased to be working with Globe on this innovative project that aims to make the internet accessible to underserved Filipinos in different parts of the country,” AIC president and CEO Cosette Canilao said.

“This new partnership is consistent with our commitment to help uplift lives through better infrastructure, especially amidst the COVID-19 pandemic,” she added.

Within AIC’s pole network, KonekTayo WiFi would be deployed for “fast and reliable internet within communities.”

“Our focus is always to serve and empower Filipino families and communities, particularly those with limited resources,” Globe president and CEO Ernest Cu said in the same statement.

“KonekTayo WiFi promises the affordability, accessibility and ease of use that most low-income Filipino homes need. And this partnership with AIC strongly complements our efforts to boost network capacity and coverage through infrastructure in a cost-efficient manner,” he added.

To avail of the service, a customer simply has to connect their Wi-Fi-enabled device, register their mobile number, and purchase a KonekTayo WiFi package.

As of this year, KonekTayo WiFi is present in select residential areas in Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Cebu, Tacloban and Iloilo, with plans of more rollouts nationwide in 2021.