Globe deploys school bus hotspots for free wifi in Manila

Globe Telecom Inc. on Monday began its deployment of school buses equipped with special antennas to provide free wifi connections to students and teachers residing in select areas in Manila City.

Officially launched on Monday, Globe's KonekTayo School Bus WiFi in Manila Program involves the deployment of an initial 10 school buses deployed to provide internet connections from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. in select barangays from Monday to Sunday.

Covered areas are Pasaje del Carmen St.; Remigio St.; 853 Gonzalo Gil Puyat St.; 924 Bilibid Viejo St.; Tomas Mapua St.; Alfonso Mendoza St.; Dalupan St.; Oroqueta St.; and Basco St. in Manila.

Under the program, the first hour of internet connection will be free for the first hour for public school students and teachers in Manila, who were earlier provided 289,000 Globe sim cards. Others can avail of the KonekTayo wifi service at rates starting at P15 a day.

"Against the backdrop of COVID-19, internet access has become a lifeline more than a luxury.  Internet access is needed by students to pursue online education, by workers to continue earning a living while working from home, by families to stay connected with each other," said Globe and Ayala Corporation chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala.

Formerly known as KapiWifi, KonekTayo WiFi aims to provide internet connection to households, through deploying hotspots where customers can connect and purchase offerings. — Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/BM, GMA News