MANILA – Smart Communications, Inc. has installed free call services in Tacloban City and other areas as restorations works for the company’s network services in typhoon-ravaged areas are still underway.
The free call station, which used satellite services in partnership with Telecoms Sans Frontieres (TSF), was held at the police station near the city hall and started yesterday afternoon until evening. The company said that they expect to resume service today at the same location to rescue groups and affected residents.
“Tacloban is one of the most devastated areas in the Visayas with power and regular communication lines still down. Smart, as part of the Emergency Communications Cluster helping the government, flew in twice yesterday satellite and other telco equipment.” Ramon R. Isberto, Smart public affairs group head, said.
Smart said that its satellite services have likewise been extended to various institutional partners and local government units to expedite post-disaster response coordination.
Meanwhile, free call services from the Sun Cellular network can also be used at the Smart Retail Store in Ormoc City and in Tubigon Community Hospital in Potohan, Tubigon, Bohol.
The public may also proceed to the San Francisco municipal hall in Camotes, Cebu care of NTC-7, and the Smart cell sites in Roxas City proper and Sta. Fe in Cebu for free charging of mobile phone batteries.
Libreng Tawag stations were earlier made available in certain areas in Iloilo, Masbate and Mindoro.
Network restoration
Meanwhile, restoration of Smart and Sun networks in areas most affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda are now in full swing.
Network services have been restored in the following areas: Cabulihan, Maasin in Southern Leyte and the municipalities of Matalom, Bato, Hilongos, Macrohon and Hindang in Leyte; San Carlos, Negros Oriental; Bantayan Island, Cebu; Calatrava, Negros Occidental; Dimiao, Bohol; Badiangan, Ajuy-Culasi, Cabatuan, Anilao, Banate, Maasin, PD Monfort, Janjuay, Sta. Barbara, Leganes, Barotac Nuevo, Pavia, San Miguel, Dumangas, Alimodian, Sta. Barbara, Tiwi, Barotac Nuevo, Mina, Dingle, Zarraga, Pototan in Iloilo, and all of Masbate except for Mobo, Cataingan, Palanas, and Pio V. Corpuz.
Network services have been operational since yesterday in Ormoc City in Leyte as well in the following areas in Western Samar: Calbayog City, Calbiga, City of Catbalogan, Daram, Gandara, Jiabong, Macrohon,
Matuguinao, Paranas (Wright), San Jose de Buan, Santa Margarita, Tarangnan, Villareal.
Because of the post-disaster effects of the Typhoon Yolanda, the company encouraged subscribers of Sun in the Visayas to use the Smart network to boost their network signal by doing the following: go to their phone settings, choose Operator selection, choose Manual, and select SMART. Then return to Automatic mode. This can be used for call, text and data services. This will allow subscribers to use the Smart network while network enhancements for Sun is ongoing. The same rates and rules apply as if the subscriber is on the Sun network.
This service for Sun is available in the following areas in the Visayas; Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Cebu, Eastern Samar, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Northern Samar, Siquijor, Southern Leyte, Leyte and Western Samar. Queries can be directed to Sun Hotline 200.
Accepting donations
Smart and Sun subscribers can also use text facilities to donate to the victims of Typhoon Yolanda. For donations to the Philippine Red Cross, subscribers can text RED and send to 4143. Ex: RED 100. Denominations accepted are for P10, P24, P50, P100, P300, P500 and P1000.
source: interaksyon.com