|
WIGO Corp. on Thursday announced its plan to provide free wireless
Internet access service in key cities and provinces nationwide.
The company launched its service called WiGo,
WiFi (wireless fidelity) broadband service, which is free to
registered users.
Liza de los Reyes, WiGo chief operating officer
told reporters that the free service is aimed at the growing number
of laptop users.
She said the need to stay online is no longer
confined to the home or workplace adding that “road warriors”
are a new breed of users whose lifestyles are putting a greater
demand on mobility.
De los Reyes sees more Filipinos owning laptops
as they becomes affordable. “We see this trend continuing, thus
our aggressive deployment of WiFi hotspots nationwide,” she said.
At present, WiGo hotspots are located in most
commercial areas and establishments all over Metro Manila such as
Rockwell Power Plant and Block 9, the National Library, Bel Air Park
Community Center, LKG Tower Food Court along Ayala Avenue, and PB
Com Court.
“We are also looking to rollout the service in
key cities and provinces nationwide,” de los Reyes said, adding
the service will also be available in the public mass transport
nodes like Metro Rail Transit and Light Rail Transit, public markets
and universities.
In the Philippines, WiFi users include business
professionals and students of the A and B market.
De los Reyes said that the company’s business
model is built on the support of advertisers who are encouraged to
put informative or promotional messages to a captive audience.
The service brings a three-fold benefit: the
service is free to the end-user, the establishment gets its own
captive portal and the benefit of continued patronage from
customers, and the advertiser targets a valuable demographic and
gains the opportunity to engage the end user in a deeper manner.
-- Darwin G. Amojelar
|
