Free public wifi available soon in Mandaue City

CEBU, Philippines — Free wifi will now be available in public areas in Mandaue City after the city government entered a Memorandum of Understanding with two companies to provide such service.

Mandaue City signed the MOU with Craft Shack Inc. (CSI) and ARTBI Global Philippine Corporation for the installation of free WIFI connections in the city’s public areas.

Under the seven page MOU, it said that CSI and ARTBI is willing to provide basic infrastructure, including the necessary routers, devices, and equipment, to make possible the provision of Free Public Wi-Fi to the city government particularly in the vicinity of Mandaue City Hall, and other public areas owned, leased or controlled by the city, barangays including privately-owned buildings that signify their consent to the city, at no cost to the city.

This as the city, represented by Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes, acknowledges the need of its constituents and other stakeholders to have a steady connection when transacting with the city especially now that numerous transactions are done online.

The mayor said in a statement that the free WIFI is a big help, especially for students doing research work.

“We know for a fact that information technology is one way of improving our level of services sa atong mga konstituwente nya mao ni nga nalipay tag dako nga naay mga partners nga nisud, ang Craft Shack Inc. ug kani nga ARTBI Global Philippines nga nipartner nato,” said Cortes.

The mayor said that this is also a great help for the barangays as he ensures that the free WIFI is located in strategic areas.

“Nindot kaayo nga programa nga atleast ang mga Mandauehanon maka-avail gyod og free nga kuan [WiFi] 24 hours,” the chief executive added.

Under the MOU, the city, CSI and ARTB, agree that the project shall take effect for a period of three years, renewable for anothe three years, unless revoked in accordance with paragraph 5 of the MOU.

Paragraph 5 says that the city government or CSI may terminate this MOU at any time, with or without cause. In the case of termination without cause, the other party has no liability of any kind, provided that at least 90 days advance notice in writing be given to the other parties. Upon receipt of notice of intent to terminate from the terminating party, this MOU shall continue in full force and effect until the expiration of the initial term or any.

The MOU also stated the city government shall provide CSI and ARTBI all permits necessary for the installation and continued use of the routers, as well as other necessary devices, with costs to be borne by ARTBI.

The local government unit shall also give access and authority for CSI to advertise in the log-in page/landing page of the city government, and the electricity bill incurred to provide the service shall be for the account of the city.

CSI and ARTBI warrant that they have undertaken all available measures to ensure that entering into this MOU does not violate any Securities and Exchange Commission’s directive or regulation and that it will abide by all laws, circulars, memorandum, ordinances, administrative orders and similar directives in relation to the services contracted herein.

CSI and ARTBI shall provide the infrastructure, including the necessary routers, devices, and equipment, to make possible the provision of Free Public Wi-Fi of the mentioned places in the city.

The MOU added that the project’s implementation may be divided into three phases, starting with phase 1 for Mandaue City-owned and operated buildings. Phase 2 is the barangay halls and/or gyms and phase 3 is the privately-owned areas, provided they have given consent to the city government to the project.

The MOU says that security problems regarding web log-in portal and the physical equipment in relation to the provision of the Free Public Wi-Fi shall be covered by CSI and ARTBI, respectively.

CSI shall be in charge of the management and operation of the web log-in portal for the provision of free WIFI; and shall allow the city government to make public announcements necessary for public welfare such as those regarding earthquakes, fire and other emergency announcements on its platform as they happen without need of prior approval.

ARTBI shall take charge of router/s installation, maintenance, repair and replacement, provided that replacement or repair of defective routers shall be done upon receipt of a written notification from the city government to either CSI or ARTBI.

The MOU added that ownership of all routers to be installed shall remain with ARTBI and as such, it may modify the routers’ configuration at any time but it should do so with least inconvenience to the city government.

Further ARTBI may change any router whenever the need arises in order to improve its services and all locations and specifications of all routers shall at all times be known to the city government through its Management Information Systems Office. — /ATO (FREEMAN)