Makati schools to get Internet access soon

Meridian Telekoms Inc. is providing fixed wireless broadband Internet connections to 10 public schools in Makati City under the K-Act (Knowledge Activity Center) program of the Department of Education, Culture and Sports- Makati.

The program is intended to provide computerization and Internet connection to all 36 public schools in Makati.

Elena Del Rosario Ruiz, Schools Divisions Superintendent of DECS Makati, said for this year, the local government of Makati has allocated a budget of P10 million for the K-Act program.

While software and hardware are leased to DECS Makati by developer Eduquest and system integrator SM Quicom, broadband pioneer Meridian provides the high-speed Internet access.

Ruiz said that they have initially chosen 10 schools for Phase 1 based on location, number of students and facilities. "Before we move to Phase 2, we’d like to see the result of Phase 1 at the end of this year. From there we can draw a conclusion whether to push through with Phase 2 or not."

Among all providers of broadband service, Meridian was chosen to connect the 10 schools and provide Internet access because of its easy, fast and cost-effective deployment–a significant requirement given the separate locations of the 10 schools.

Jonathan Lee, senior sales consultant of Meridian, said the job was not just providing Internet connection but inter-connecting the 10 schools as well.