Restoration works of communication lines and towers in areas heavily affected by Typhoon Odette continues, according to the country’s largest fixed and wireless broadband providers on Wednesday.
In a service update, landline and broadband provider PLDT and its wireless subsidiary Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) said fixed-line services have been restored in more than 90 percent of its covered areas in Palawan, with wireless services in the province now at 83 percent restored.
“Technical teams are working continuously to repair affected sites and fully restore communication services in the province,” PLDT-Smart said.
In an earlier update, it said repairs in Bohol and Cebu have ramped up, with many key public facilities such as ports and airports reconnected as of Tuesday.
“PLDT and Smart have reconnected Panglao and Tagbilaran airports in Bohol, as well as the Bacolod-Silay International Airport in Negros Occidental,” PLDT-Smart said.
In Cebu, its technicians have “partially restored” communications services in the province’s major hubs such as the cities of Cebu, Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue, and Talisay.
“More and more towns have been fully restored in the northwest, northeast, midwest, southeast, and southwest portions of Cebu, as well. The group has also reconnected more barangays in the town of Loboc in Bohol,” PLDT-Smart said.
It also warned its user in areas that have been previously restored that they may experience “intermittent service” because of power supply issues and accidental cuts during clearing operations by local government units.
On the other hand, Globe Telecom Inc. (Globe) reported that mobile network services in the provinces of Leyte and Southern Leyte are 50 percent complete as of Wednesday.
“This includes 41 municipalities and cities in Leyte and five towns in Southern Leyte. Globe’s field teams are working 24/7 to bring communications facilities back following the devastation caused by Typhoon Odette,” Globe said.
In Cebu, it said 20 areas have so far been restored while its GoWiFi facility at the Mactan International Airport is up and running and offers access to all users.
Earlier, Globe has already restored services in the whole of Samar, Antique, Biliran, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Siquijor.
“Globe, through the help of local government units has made it possible to hasten restoration efforts across different provinces hit by typhoon Odette,” Globe said.
To date, it said about 70 percent of Globe’s sites in the Visayas have been restored, with its repair works in Mindanao and Palawan seeing “significant restoration progress.”
Source: Philippines News Agency
