The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) on Thursday directed telecommunications companies to prioritize the restoration of services affected by Typhoon Carina.
The agency ordered telecom providers to deploy sufficient personnel, equipment and generators to areas impacted by the typhoon. The telecom companies are also required to expedite repair and restoration efforts.
According to the NTC, the telecom companies reported mobile and broadband service disruptions in some areas affected by the onslaught of Typhoon “Carina” primarily due to power outages.
In addition, flooding in many areas have made restoration activities more challenging as surrounding roads remain impassable.
“Nonetheless, round-the-clock restoration efforts are continuously being undertaken by the PTEs, including deployment of power generator sets until such time that commercial power is re-established, which will then hopefully restore regular telecommunications services within 24 to 48 hours,” the NTC said.
Globe Telecom said it has begun restoration work in a few areas in Metro Manila and Northern Luzon reporting service disruptions due to commercial power failure following the devastation wrought by Typhoon Carina and the southwest monsoon.
As of 9 a.m. Thursday, over 90 percent of Globe’s mobile sites in Metro Manila were up and running, with few facilities down due to power outages. None of its 3G sites were affected.
In Northern Luzon, more than 95 percent of 2G, 3G, LTE and 5G sites were operational.
“As the weather has improved and floods have subsided, our personnel are now working on quickly restoring services in the few isolated areas that experienced disruptions in their call, text and data services,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe chief sustainability and corporate communications officer.
Globe has not recorded any damage to network infrastructure.
“Overall, our network remains intact and stable, providing communications services critical to relief and recovery operations in typhoon-hit areas. It is proof that our network resilience efforts work,” Crisanto said.
