DOTr, Converge reach deal for free wifi at Philippine airports

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Friday announced it had agreed with fiber broadband internet provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc. to provide free public wi-fi services in passenger terminals of nine international and domestic airports across the country.

In a statement, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said the DOTr-Converge deal would 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,” Bautista said.

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 deal was signed on November 17, 2022.

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 one gigabyte at 80% service reliability at the arrival and departure areas of the passenger terminal buildings of said airports.

“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,” said Converge CEO and co-founder Dennis Anthony Uy. —NB, GMA Integrated News