Globe GoWiFi augments Makati's free internet connection

Makati Mayor Abby Binay said the city’s free internet connection will be augmented by Globe WiFi to cover more areas in the city and provide wireless high-speed internet and network connections to residents.

Mayor Abby witnessed the signing of a memorandum of agreement between Globe GoWiFi, the largest Wi-Fi network in the country, and Neo-Converge ICT Solutions, Inc. (NCIS), the city’s existing partner for its free public Wi-Fi system, at the Session Hall, Makati City Hall Building I.

“This project is part of my vision of Makati as a Smart City. Through this partnership, we are improving the technology we already have in Makati so that residents can enjoy fast and reliable internet connections for free,” she said.

Under the memorandum, Globe will provide a free 30-minute GoWiFi access to city residents in key locations around Makati City, at no cost to the city, to augment the Makatizen Wi-Fi under NCIS, which has an average speed of 175 Tbps.

The mayor said as of Tuesday, the Makatizen GoWiFi was already up and running at Makati City Hall and Ospital ng Makati. The free wifi connection will be available in the 27 barangay health centers and the University of Makati in about three months, she added.

Mayor Abby said the project aims to accelerate the city government’s efforts in enhancing all-network internet accessibility for its constituents to enhance the delivery of services, improve government processes to ensure greater transparency, efficiency, and effectiveness in its operations, and allow easier and wider public access to government information and services. 

To connect, users need to turn on the Wi-Fi in their mobile phones (regardless of network provider) and connect to the hotspot @MakatiZen_FreeGoWiFi. The user will be redirected to a web portal where they will be asked to register using their phone number. They will receive a code via text message and they need to enter it inside the box. Finally, users need to select Free GoWiFi to avail themselves of the free internet connection.

Aside from the free 30-minute internet connection, users may also avail themselves of the free data packages from Globe GoWiFi by selecting other available promos on the portal.

Under Mayor Abby’s administration, the city has entered into PPP agreements with industry leaders for landmark ICT-related projects to fulfill its vision of becoming the country’s first smart city.

In August 2017, the mayor inked a partnership with NCIS to provide free internet connection to residents in 27 barangays – excluding the six villages – under the Makati Public Wi-Fi System on certain periods daily: 20 minutes for the general public and transients; 40 minutes for registered Makati residents; and 60 minutes for enrolled students of Makati’s public schools.

To date, the fiber optic loop installation in the 27 barangays has been completed, and the system has recorded over 500,000 log-ins from Makatizens and other users.

To access the MyMakati Wi-Fi service, users need to access the Makatizen App. The application will provide an auto-connection to the public Wi-Fi service.

Through another PPP venture, the city has also installed mobile signal boosters to strengthen cellular and internet connectivity for the benefit of residents and transients in the city.