Restore data, services, telcos told

THE National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has ordered telecommunication companies to ensure reliable service connections amid Typhoon Kristine.

In a statement on Thursday, NTC mandated public telecommunication entities (PTEs) to also immediately restore all data or service disruptions in areas affected by the typhoon.

NTC said PTEs must also ensure that enough personnel are deployed, and generators are on standby especially if some areas experiencing data or service disruptions are caused by power outages.

PTEs were also ordered to provide free call and charging station services for all affected areas, NTC said.

NTC also said that as of Wednesday, PTEs reported significant service outages within the Bicol Region and Eastern Visayas, and some areas in Luzon.

“The primary reason for these telecommunication services disruptions were commercial power interruptions, which were either pre-emptively initiated by power companies/electric cooperatives or naturally caused by the Typhoon,” NTC said.

Further, NTC also said that it is closely monitoring the situation and has assured that it will collaborate with telco companies to restore any service or data disruptions. — Ashley Erika O. Jose