Globe and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on establishing a standard Connectivity Index Rating in the country.
The MOU was signed by telco representatives led by Atty. Froilan Castelo, General Counsel for the Globe Group; Ivan John Uy, Secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (ICT); and other representatives from PLDT-SMART, Converge ICT and DITO Telecommunity. The ceremonies were held at the DICT office in Quezon City.
"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," Globe Group President and CEO Ernest Cu said.
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 of the quality of the indoor internet experience and provide immediate and valuable feedback to building and establishment owners. The rating parameters include speed, accessibility, availability and security of internet services. This index will offer a useful 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.
At present, 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 Connectivity Index Rating aims to be as intuitive and user-friendly as the traditional 5-star system used for rating 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. Castelo.
The Connectivity Rating Index provides Globe another opportunity to contribute to the Philippines' digital environment, making it more dynamic, consumer-oriented and on par with international standards.
