Free connectivity fosters collaborative learning. Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) and the University of the Philippines have recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement that will further advance the national university’s bid to become globally competitive. Under the agreement that was signed by UP president Alfredo E. Pascual (right) and Smart chief wireless advisor Orlando B. Vea (left), Smart will provide free wireless connectivity to the UP community to promote digital inclusion.
Good news, mga Isko at Iska! SMART has partnered with the University of the Philippines System to provide free WiFi to all students in all UP campuses around the country.
The deal was recently sealed by SMART Chief Wireless Advisor Orlando B. Vea and UP President Alfredo E. Pascual at the UP Executive House in Diliman, Quezon City.
About 120 hotspots will initially be installed in different UP campuses, while eight new base stations will be set up in addition to the six already within the main university. This will provide students with free access to sites whitelisted by SMART and UP. Those not on the list will be free for the first 30 minutes before standard charges apply.
Supporting University’s eUP project that aims to provide better education through online channels, SMART is looking forward to more initiatives that will bring the World Wide Web closer to those who need it.
“This fosters more collaborative learning within the UP community, and allows every Isko and Iska to access online learning resources for free,” said Vea. “For us at SMART, this is part of our vision for digital inclusion, of making the Internet more accessible so that more Filipinos get to enjoy its benefits.”
