ANGELES City Councilor Jesus Sangil said the people need fast and affordable internet connection to keep pace with information and communication technology.
Sangil underscored the need for efficient broadband services, as he proposed to the city council a resolution to look into the true state of internet connections being offered by telecom companies.
He urged his fellow councilors to pass, in aid of legislation, a resolution “urging the Committee/s on public utilities and public works and engineering to immediately conduct the appropriate public hearings to look into the true state of the broadband services industry in the city.”
The official said they are planning to invite the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), as well as competent representatives from Converge ICT Solutions Inc. and other similar private companies in this industry, to provide expert and technical advice and recommendation on how to ensure the presence of affordable broadband services at globally-competitive speeds in Angeles City for the benefit of our people and the city’s economy.
Sangil earlier called for an investigation regarding the complaints of numerous subscribers of Converge.
“Nasaksihan po natin kung paano nag-trending ang kumpanyang Converge ICT Solutions, Inc. ng dahil sa reklamo ng mga subscribers nito sa kawalan, kabagalan at kamahalan ng internet services,” Sangil said.
Converge owner Dennis Uy replied by saying that he never increased its rates.
He said bills for this month increase because the firm added the nine days which were not included in the April billing statement.
Uy said Converge’s rates are lower compared to other internet providers in the city and other parts of the country.
On the issue of poor services and slow internet connection, the telecom firm owner said there are no perfect firms in the industry.
Uy expressed apprehension that he is being singled out by the city officials because of politics. He said the city council should also investigate other giant telecom companies in the city with poor services.
“Why am I being singled out here? This is purely politics,” Uy said.
He added that his firm’s more than 60,000 subscribers all over the country will transfer to other telecom firms if their service is bad.
“We already have subscribers in Manila, Baguio, Pangasinan, and other places.
“Remember, I started with cable connections. But because of technology, we and upgraded our systems and connections to fiber optic gradually to improve our services and provide our clients fast internet connections and clear television signals,” Uy said.
The businessman said he is planning to meet with Mayor Carmelo Lazatin over the weekend to shed light about the issues.