Globe signs Connectivity Index Rating MOU with DICT, telcos for better indoor internet experience

 (L-R)- M/Gen Rodolfo Santiago (Ret.), Chief Technology Officer, DITO Telecommunity Corp; Atty. Adel Tamano, Chief Administrative Officer, DITO Telecommunity Corp; Atty. Froilan Castelo, General Counsel, Globe Group; DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy; Henry Aguda, Head of the Private Sector Advisory Council Digital Infrastructure Sector and President and CEO, UnionDigital Bank Philippines; Joseph Ian Gendrano, SVP and Chief Technology Officer, PLDT-Smart and Paulo Martin Santos, Chief Network Transformation Officer, Converge ICT Solutions, Inc.

Leading digital solutions platform Globe welcomes the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the telecom sector and the DICT on the establishment of a standard Connectivity Index Rating across the country. 

The MOU was signed on July 21 by telco representatives led by Atty. Froilan Castelo, General Counsel for the Globe Group, Department of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Secretary Ivan John Uy, and other representatives from PLDT-SMART, Converge ICT, and DITO Telecommunity in ceremonies at the DICT office in Quezon City.

 

The Connectivity Index Rating, proposed by Globe and its industry allies to the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC), is designed to be a user-friendly measure on the quality of internet experience within indoor spaces. It aims to empower consumers to rate their indoor internet experience thus providing immediate feedback to owners of buildings and establishments on the quality of internet they are providing their customers.

 

"The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding is an important step towards truly enhancing the digital landscape of the country.  Indoor service experience has been a common complaint among customers and the decision of selecting service providers, including which data plan to get lies in the hands of building and establishment owners.   Through this rating, public and private sector players will be able to easily identify areas that need connectivity improvement, leading to efficient and effective network investments. Customers can immediately give feedback about their experience which will ultimately redound to improving overall internet service in the country,” said Ernest Cu, Globe Group President and CEO.

 

The rating parameters include speed, accessibility, availability and security of internet services. This will offer a valuable reference point for property owners and government institutions to determine the required level of connectivity relative to the user traffic within a specific area or building.

 

Currently, consumers lack an accessible method to assess the quality of internet connectivity in places such as airports, shopping malls, hotels, libraries, and coffee shops. The objective of the index is to be as intuitive and user-friendly as the traditional 5-star system for hotels.

 

“The Connectivity Index Rating will serve as a compelling incentive for private and public establishments, encouraging them to prioritize high-quality connectivity services in their spaces, benefiting consumers and driving competitiveness,” added Atty. Froilan Castelo, Globe’s General Counsel.

 

Over the years, Globe has shown a steadfast commitment to offering fast and dependable internet services to Filipinos. The Connectivity Rating Index provides the company another opportunity to help enhance the country’s digital environment, making it more dynamic, consumer-oriented, and at par with international standards.