Launching of Free WiFi at NAIA 1 and 2, marks completion of roll-out of free public WiFi in NAIA Terminals

(From left): Chief Sustainability Officer Benjamin Azada, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines Director General Captain Manuel Tamayo, General Manager of the Manila International Airport Authority Eric Ines, Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano, and Converge Chief Operations Officer Jesus C. Romero.

by Riza Zuniga

“Surf’s up,” said Jesus Romero, Chief Operations Officer of Converge ICT Solutions Inc, as he signalled the roll-out completion of Converge Free WiFi in NAIA 1 and 2.

All passengers, personnel and staff in four terminals of NAIA will now enjoy a 120 minute free use of WiFi and an eight-hour internet use for existing Converge subscribers.

Secretary Jaime J. Bautista of Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTR), Mayor Imelda Gallardo Calixto-Rubiano, and Capt. Manuel Tamayo, Director General of Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) welcomed and supported the launch of Converge Free WiFi in NAIA 1 and 2 terminals yesterday.

Eric Castro-Ines, General Manager of Manila International Airport Authority, has assured the public that no power interruptions can interfere with the use of Converge Free WiFi in the airports.

“WiFi 6 is being used in the airports now,” Romero said.

This has faster connection and access, and bigger data transfer. There are 105 access points (APs) in Terminals 1 and 2. Each AP can accommodate 1,000  internet users and around 50,000 passengers can have internet access per terminal. The coverage is up to 100 meters within the NAIA premises.

“Converge is a proud partner of the government in providing digital connectivity in public spaces,” said Benjamin Azada, Chief Sustainability Officer, Converge ICT Solutions, Inc.

This is part of the company’s sustainability and corporate social responsibility initiatives.

Azada added that, “The two relevant target outcomes were achieved: enhancing inter-sectoral linkages through internet speed, coverage and network; and seamless and inclusive connectivity by addressing universal mobility and connectivity needs.”

He explained further the benefits of Wifi 6. This is a fast wireless LAN technology that enables the efficient performance of networked devices in dense conditions.

In terms of faster speed, WiFi 6 Modem supports higher bandwidth. For wider coverage, WiFi6 Modem gives 20%-30% higher coverage than a WiFi5 modem/ONU. It supports high-gain omnidirectional antennas, intelligent signal compensation algorithm, and dynamic narrowband technology, able to significantly solve the “long-& short-hand” coverage limitation problem of WiFi5 Modem.

For lower latency, WiFi 6 supports simultaneous communication of multiple users. It can identify invalid users and ignore them. As a result, WiFi 6 reduces latency (aka “lag”) by 40% compared with WiFi 5.

For more connections,  WiFi 6 can connect 4 times as many users as WiFi 5

One excellent feature of WiFi 6 is its consumption of less power. It reduces Power Consumption by 20%+. It supports the intelligent hibernation mechanism, saving power consumption by 20% on hibernation status . It helps subscribers significantly reduce their electricity bills, and is definitely better.

Converge signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the DOTr, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA), Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), and Davao International Airport Authority (DIAA) for the provisioning of free, fast, and reliable internet services in the departure and arrival areas of selected airports in the country.

Romero mentioned the other airports in the country that will have free Converge WiFi in 2024, “Francisco Bangoy International Airport in Davao in April 30, Bacolod – Silay Airport in June 2024, Iloilo International Airport in July, Mactan – Cebu International Airport in August, Tacloban Airport in August, Pagadian Airport in September, Zamboanga International Airport in November, and on stand-by at Laoag International Airport because it is undergoing renovation.”