Globe, PLDT: No signal loss due to APEC 2015 unless…

MANILA, Philippines – The country’s two major telecommunications firms – Globe Telecom, Incorporated and Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) – denied posts circulating on social media that there would be signal loss due to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2015 Leaders’ Week.

APEC Leaders’ Week runs from November 16 to November 20.

In a statement Monday, November 16, Globe warned its customers about information spreading in social media and SMS regarding its services from November 16 to November 18 due to the APEC summit.

“Please be informed that there is no truth to the social media posts circulating that there would be down times in our service or outright loss of service,” the Ayala-led telco said.

Globe added that only the regulator, National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), makes the official announcement on telco service disruptions.

Globe said it will immediately advise its customers in its official channels should the NTC issue any order. 

PLDT Spokesperson Ramon Isberto also assured PLDT customers that there will be no service interruption due to APEC unless directed by NTC.

“We’d like to assure people our services are operating normally. But, these may be affected in some areas by public safety measures for the APEC Summit,” Isberto said in his Facebook page.

In a press briefing, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesman Chief Superintendent Wilben Mayor said there would be no cellphone signal interruptions during APEC week “as a general rule.”

But the PNP is not ruling out the possibility of signal loss “if it’s really, really necessary, for emergency purposes.” — Rappler.com