Smart engineers set up the active antenna of Smart Marino Satellite Phone in partnership with Thuraya at the PNP Headquarters in Tacloban City.

To help expedite humanitarian efforts in Eastern Samar, mobile coverage was fired up last night in Borongan City via an Instant Network setup deployed by Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) with partner Vodafone Foundation.

A team traveled yesterday to Eastern Samar’s provincial capital to quickly set up emergency communications in the area so that rescue and relief workers can carry out life-saving work following the Super Typhoon Yolanda.

Meanwhile, network restoration continues to be in full swing. Earlier this morning, Smart and Digitel Mobile Philippines, Inc. (DMPI) reported 84% network coverage in cities and municipalities affected. Aside from Borongan, Smart and DMPI has also restored coverage in Bagacay, Iloilo and Maribojoc, Bohol.

Establishing first-line communications is our priority in the hardest hit areas where network restoration is still underway. This instant network will help the government and humanitarian agencies in fast tracking coordination from the ground.” said Ramon R. Isberto, Smart Public Affairs Group Head.

Smart engineers set up the active antenna of Smart Marino Satellite Phone in partnership with Thuraya at the PNP Headquarters in Tacloban City.

Used for the first time in the Philippines last December 2012 in Davao Oriental after Typhoon Pablo, the instant network fired up in Borongan is an ultra-portable mobile phone network, light enough to travel in the back of a car or on commercial flights, which enables for quick response to disasters.  Consisting of an antenna, a foldable mast, an industrial computer and base transceiver station, the equipment is powered by generators.

This is the second time in 12 months we have deployed the network to the Philippines.  We hope it will not only provide much-needed network support for aid agencies, but will enable those people caught in the most devastated areas with no means of communication, to connect with their loved ones outside of those areas". said Andrew Dunnett, Vodafone Group Director Sustainability; Vodafone Foundation.

The companies continue to enhance coverage in various areas. Smart was able to restore high speed Long Term Evolution (LTE) connection in downtown Tacloban City as another cellsite in the airport area was fired up last Tuesday night.

To support the heavy influx of press people covering the post-disaster relief and rehabilitation, Smart and DMPI is also providing high-speed connectivity at the international media hub being set up in Mactan Airport and Mactan Airbase.

Smart and DMPI continues to provide direct assistance in support of relief and rehabilitation efforts. Today, Smart Libreng Tawag services are being offered to the public in the following areas:

1. Antique
   • Culasi Municipal Hall
2. Capiz
   • Roxas City Hall
3. Eastern Samar
   • Smart cellsite, Borongan, Leyte 
4. Leyte
   • Smart Retail Store in Ormoc City
   • DSWD booth at City Hall, Ormoc City
   • Command Center Stadium, Tacloban City
   • Smart cellsite near V&G subdivision, Tacloban City
5. Cebu
   • Express Call Office, Bogo City Proper
   • Smart cellsite in Poblacion, Sta. Fe
   • Maridejos Municipal Hall
   • Medellin Public Market, Northern Cebu
   • Hagnaya Port, Northern Cebu.

Meanwhile,  free mobile phone battery charging stations are open in the following areas:

1. Smart Store in Ormoc City, Leyte
2. Smart cellsite in Sta. Fe, Cebu
3. Smart cellsite in Madridejos, Cebu
4. Municipal hall in Madridejos, Cebu
5. Express Call Office, Bogo City Proper, Cebu
6. Old Buswang, Kalibo