DICT, Globe and Smart Launched Free WiFi on EDSA

The first Free public WiFi in the Philippines was successfully launched, and it is on EDSA. This is a joint project of Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Globe and Smart. The said Free WiFi project was launched on June 12, 2017, Philippine Independence Day. This a good news to all Filipinos and to the government since the first attempt of having a Free WiFi on 2007 was disrupted because of the NBN-ZTE scandal, a 329 million US dollar construction contract between the Chinese Telecom ZTE and the proposed government-managed National Broadband Network. In April-May 2020, Globe, Smart offer Free WiFi amid COVID-19 spread.

Free public Wi-Fi will be available across the whole 24-kilometer stretch of EDSA. The launched was done at the central terminal of the MRT at the corner of EDSA and Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City.

For now, the service is available at MRT and at ground level, between the Guadalupe and Cubao MRT stations. The entire 24-kilometer stretch of EDSA is expected to go online by August.

The Free WiFi project is in line with President Rodrigo Duterte's promise during his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) that the government will provide free Wi-Fi services in public areas nationwide. As President Digong said, "Wi-Fi access shall be provided at no charge in selected public places including parks, plazas, public libraries, schools, government hospitals, train stations, airports, and seaports."

300Mbps Speed on Initial Service Test

Rodolfo Salalima, DICT Secretary, said during the launch that initial tests of the new service, which is jointly provided by the Philippine Government and two local telco rivals Smart Communications and Globe Telecom, is capable of speeds in excess of 300Mbps.

With this speed, you can play videos with no buffering.

1000 People Per Access Point

Ret. Gen. Eliseo M. Rio, Jr, DICT Undersecretary for Special Concerns, said in an interview on Unang Balita (GMA 7 Unang Hirit News Segment), "At that speed, mga hanggang 1,000 per access point at that speed. Talagang binigyan ho ng malaking bandwidth yung mga access points ng free Wi-Fi sa EDSA para kahit ganyang karaming tao magkonekta ay hindi bababa."

30-minute Access to the Free Wi-Fi from Each Service Provider

DICT Undersecretary Rio said that each would be given a 30-minute access to the free Wi-Fi from each service providers, Smart, Globe and the DICT's Pipol Konek (freepublicwifi.gov.ph).

The WiFi network SSID of each network are the following:
For Smart, it is #SmartWifi
For Globe, it is @Globe_EDSAWiFi
For DICT, it is DICT FREE EDSA WiFi

With 30-minutes access to each service providers, people can have a free internet access for a total time of one and a half hours per day.

Smart Free WiFi

Smart WiFi is a free wifi available to all Wi-Fi capable device with or without SIM. Just go to nearest Smart WiFi hotspot, then turn your Wifi connection on and choose #SmartWifi from the list of networks. Open your browser and input your mobile number in the text field (Use your FREE minutes!). Wait for the verification code to be sent via SMS. Go back to browser, enter the verification code and click "Start Browsing". Each user may enjoy at least 30 free minutes of Wi-Fi everyday.

Once your free minutes are used up, continue browsing by following these steps:

Smart WiFi additional minutes registration for all networks (Smart/TNT/Sun/Globe/TM)

Step 1: Purchase load cards from Smart retailers near you.
Smart WiFi Load Card P10 - 30 minutes of Smart Wifi valid for 1 day, Php 10
Smart WiFi Load Card P20 - 2 hours of Smart Wifi valid for 2 days, Php 20
Smart WiFi Load Card P50 - 10 hours of Smart Wifi valid for 5 days, Php 50

Step 2: Lightly scratch the protective ink at the bank of the card to reveal the PIN.

Step 3: Open your browser and wait for the landing page to load. Input the PIN on the second text field (Surf via Smart Wifi PIN).

Smart WiFi additional minutes registration for Smart/TNT/Sun

Step 1: Choose from the following and reload your account according to the required load.
WIFI10 - 30 minutes of Smart Wifi valid for 1 day, Php 10
WIFI20 - 2 hours of Smart Wifi valid for 2 days, Php 20
WIFI50 - 10 hours of Smart Wifi valid for 5 days, Php 50

Step 2: Text the keyword then send to 9991.
Sample format: text WIFI50 to 9991
You will then receive a message containing the PIN.

Step 3: Open your browser and wait for the Smart Wifi page to load. Input the PIN on the second text field (Surf via Smart Wifi PIN).

Globe Free WiFi

Globe Free WiFi's GoWiFi is a free wifi available to all Wi-Fi capable device with or without SIM. Just go to nearest Globe WiFi hotspot of over 2,000 convenient public locations nationwide (SM Supermarket, Ayala Malls, LRT, Megaworld, Robinsons, Starbucks, Araneta Center, Bonifacio High Street, NAIA, MRT, Mactan Cebu International Airport, Marquee Mall, Nepo Mall, Primark Town Center, LCC, Gaisano, The District, NCC and more), then turn your Wifi connection on and choose #FreeGoWiFi from the list of networks. Tap the "GO" button once the 'GOWiFi - wifi for all page' occured. View and close the advertisement. Tap the Go button to start surfing! Each user may enjoy 30 minutes of free Wi-Fi everyday.

Once your free minutes are used up, continue browsing by registering to GoWiFi auto available to all networks:

Step 1
Go to your WiFi settings and connect to @GoWiFi_Auto.

Step 2
Enter your mobile number. You'll receive a code via SMS.

Step 3
Enter the code you received.

Step 4
Choose a package and complete your purchase. Start surfing!
GoWiFi Auto package are as follows:
Php15 for 1 day (500MB data allocation)
Php30 for 3 days (1.5GB data allocation)
Php99 for 30 days (1.5GB data allocation)

Customers can avail of this service and pay via prepaid load, charged to postpaid bill, credit card, or via Request-a-Fi — a feature that allows users to request for a GoWiFi package from their Globe or TM friends.

Globe also offers Free 1GB GoWiFi when you subscribed to GoSurf, GoSAKTO and TM EasySurf promos.

A Minimum Speed of 10Mbps

DICT Secretary Rodolfo Salalima promised that the speed of two digit must not go down, at least 10 megabyte per second.

DICT Undersecretary for Special Operations Eliseo Rio Jr. said in an interview on Unang Balita, "Subukan nila, kung mas mababa diyan, pakireklamo sa DICT at gagawa kami ng paraan." People can report to DICT if they will experience a slow speed internet connection, for example, a speed of 9 Mbps below.

Free WiFi Secure on Data/Identity Theft, Strictly No Access to P*rn Sites

DICT also assures that people connected to Free public WiFi on EDSA are safe from data or identity theft. They also added that, all p*orn sites are blocked. This measures are done to protect the users.

Source : GMA News Official Facebook Page, Smart WiFi, Globe GoWiFi