Faster, better WiFi for all

PLDT and Smart has scored a big win recently, as the telco has inked a deal with search giant Google that gives more people access to fast, free WiFi.

Explaining Google’s commitment to the deal, Google Next Billion Users Chief Business Officer David Shapiro said that “All our efforts are driven primarily by our mission to provide universal access to information.”

“We are happy to partner with Smart Wifi in giving more Filipinos access to new opportunities and learning tools through the internet—empowering them in a meaningful way,” asserted Google Philippines Country Manager Kenneth Lingan.

The partnership will see better access and hopefully, better speeds from Smart’s WiFi hotspots around the archipelago. Currently, around 63% of Filipinos are said to have access to the internet in some shape or form, a number that both companies are looking to increase exponentially.

“It is an honor for us to join hands with an esteemed technology leader who shares in our vision of empowering our citizens with connectivity. More than being a testament to our technological adeptness, this milestone signifies our unwavering commitment to prompt the next chapter of digital transformation for the country,” SVP & Head of PLDT and Smart Enterprise Business Groups Jovy Hernandez said of the partnership.

“Technology is a great equalizer of opportunities and as the country’s premier ICT and digital services provider, we are constantly looking for ways to innovate and uplift the everyday experiences of our customers,” said PLDT and Smart Chief Revenue Officer and ePLDT President & CEO Eric Alberto.