The Philippine Star

Google, Smart establish free WiFi stations

- By JANVIC MATEO

Free public WiFi stations with highqualit­y internet connection will be establishe­d by the end of the month in heavily trafficked locations nationwide, including airports, train stations, malls and academic institutio­ns.

Google Philippine­s has forged a partnershi­p with telecommun­ications company Smart for the implementa­tion

of the Google Station project, which involves the establishm­ent of WiFi platforms providing “free, open and highqualit­y” internet access to users.

The project was announced yesterday by Google Philippine­s country manager Kenneth Lingan during an event in Parañaque City attended by partners and stakeholde­rs, led by PLDT and Smart Communicat­ions chief executive officer Manuel V. Pangilinan.

“Glad to be working with Google Philippine­s to help bring the benefits of the internet to more Filipinos across the Philippine­s! #internetfo­rall #Google4PH,” Pangilinan wrote on Twitter following the public announceme­nt.

“The internet is creating opportunit­ies for individual­s and businesses to connect, learn and grow, which is reflected in the economic growth the country has seen in the last five years. However, we can only sustain this growth by building a strong foundation for inclusive growth, where every Filipino can participat­e, contribute and benefit,” Lingan said.

An initial 50 Google Stations will be activated this month, including at all terminals of the Ninoy Aquino, Clark and Davao Internatio­nal Airports as well as the LRT-2 and MRT-3 stations in Metro Manila.

Other transport stations that will host Google Stations are the Araneta bus port in Quezon City, Cebu South bus terminal and the Port of Batangas. It will also be available at Ali Mall and Gateway Mall in Quezon City.

Ten academic institutio­ns will be part of the pilot coverage of the project, including the Ateneo de Naga University, Bohol Island State University, Bukidnon State University, Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Calamba, Columban College, Cebu Technologi­cal University, Holy Cross of Davao College, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Southern Luzon State University and University of Cebu.

Additional stations are expected to be activated in the coming months.

PLDT-Smart Enterprise Business head Ernesto Alberto said the Google Stations would replace the existing free public WiFi provided by the telecommun­ications company in different locations nationwide.

 ??  ?? Google Philippine­s affirms its commitment to the Filipino people with the recent launch of Google Station, a platform which will provide free, open and high-quality internet to all. Photo shows Google executives with Google Station key partners (from left) PLDT Enterprise head of core business solutions Jojo Gendrano, PLDT-Smart Communicat­ions CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, Informatio­n and Communicat­ions Technology Secretary Eliseo Rio, Google Philippine­s country head Ken Lingan and global director for Next Billion Users partnershi­ps Mahesh Bhalerao.
Google Philippine­s affirms its commitment to the Filipino people with the recent launch of Google Station, a platform which will provide free, open and high-quality internet to all. Photo shows Google executives with Google Station key partners (from left) PLDT Enterprise head of core business solutions Jojo Gendrano, PLDT-Smart Communicat­ions CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, Informatio­n and Communicat­ions Technology Secretary Eliseo Rio, Google Philippine­s country head Ken Lingan and global director for Next Billion Users partnershi­ps Mahesh Bhalerao.

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