Telcos assure mobile services will keep going

If text messaging, calls and data services are disrupted by typhoon Yolanda, it will not be for long assured telecommunications companies.

In press statements, Smart & Sun Cellular as well as Globe Telecom said they have disaster-preparedness programs in place that will facilitate continued services during the storm.

Smart Communications, with affiliate companies Sun Cellular and Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT), assured speedy response and restoration if facilities are affected.

“As a precautionary measure against the possible onslaught of the typhoon, additional equipment and personnel in crucial sites have been pre-positioned in Samar and Leyte to minimize possible service interruptions,” the company said.

PLDT’s telecommunication facilities have enough power reserves to last 72 hours in case of power interruption, said Jun Tariman, PLDT environment, health and safety management officer said.

Globe corporate communications manager Yoli Crisanto said Globe has a “network-resiliency program” in place.

“Globe’s network modernization program also involves the deployment of advanced equipment that further strengthens its network resiliency and redundancy measures,” she said.

Globe head liaison for Visayas-Mindanao Jerry Yntig said all their personnel in Cebu are on-call for emergencies.

Two mobile units will be fielded to provide free calls in areas that will be badly hit by the typhoon.

“These units will be deployed in areas where communication through cellphones and landlines is really impossible,” he said.

Yntig said Globe cell sites are located in areas with less exposure to strong winds and are not dependent on power./Jeanette Malinao and Aileen Garcia-Yap