Globequest to roll out more hotspots in Cebu

Innove Communication Inc.'s Internet Service Provider (ISP) Globequest is set to roll out more hotzones or hotspots in Metro Cebu in the next few months.

This means, that more and more areas, such as establishment vicinities will be able to offer wireless Internet connection within Metro Cebu.

A HotSpot is an area in a public or private location, such as home, office, café, hotel, or airport, where users can gain high-speed Internet access over a wireless LAN (local area network). By using a wireless device, such as 802.11-enabled laptop or PDA (personal digital assistant), users can access e-mail and the Internet at HotSpots location

Aside from existing hotzones that are now offering wireless connection in Cebu, such as the Ayala Entertainment Center, Mactan Cebu International Airport, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino's lobby, Cebu City Sports Club, among others, Jesus C. Romero head for corporate business group of Innove Communication announced that the company is installing more Wifi zones in Cebu, to make the area friendly for IT-savvy professionals and businessmen.

Soon, all SuperCat terminals, all outlets of Bo's Coffee Club, Gloria Jeans Coffee outlet in Banilad Town Center will soon be a WiFi or HotSpot zone.

"We are continually expanding of WiFi network, using technology as way on reducing cost, while bandwidth cost in the Philippines is declining to about an average of 20 percent," Romero said in a recent press briefing.

From establishing 13 hotspots in the 2003, Globequest has now installed 50 Wireless Internet Zone (WIZ) areas around the country, 20 percent of which are located in Cebu.

Despite the entry of other players providing wireless connection in outdoor places of designated establishments, Romero said Globequest always maintain its niche as its portal can also serve all Globe Telecom mobile subscribers to access the worldwide web using their cellular phones in the hotspots areas.

In all its establishment hotspots partners, Romero said Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino contributed the highest revenue, as more and more in house clients or hotel guests are taking advantage of the wireless connection of the hotel at the lobby area.

GlobeQuest is the first wireless Internet service provider in the Philippines to be verified through Intel's Wireless Verification Program. The Ayala-led company formerly known as Islacom has 20-Intel-verified Wireless Internet Zone (WIZ) hotspots nationwide.

"We are targeting to provide hotspots facility for public places in the Visayas and Mindanao. In Cebu we are trying to close deal with other resorts, restaurants, and high public traffic areas," Romero said.

He emphasized that there are a growing number of WiFi customers in Cebu that demanding for this kind of access, thus coffee shops are getting into this kind of deal.

According to Romero an establishment does not need to invest money to offer a WiFi zone, instead establishments of WiFi feature attracts more customers of the high-tech value added service.

Through this wireless connection, users may be able to avail of the prepaid cards or subscribe in the broadband wireless Internet services offered by Innove. Postpaid subscribers' of Globequest or Globe Telecom mobile service can easily access to the Internet in any WiFi zone.

Innove Communication announced that the company is installing more Wifi zones in Cebu, to make the area friendly for IT-savvy professionals and businessmen.