GSM Coverage Extends to Conflict Areas

Since the 1970s, Pikit, Cotabato, has been a remote municipality in the Philippines island, Mindanao, made even more inaccessible to most people by the raging conflict between government and separatist forces. However, it is now covered by a recently launched GSM network provided by the local operator, Smart. With a population of almost 70,000, Pikit is one of more far-flung municipalities in Mindanao. Aside from Pikit, Smart now has full network coverage in the town of Kabacan, Cotabato. The heavily populated area of Midsayap will soon follow. Smart has also activated cellsites in Tubod, Lanao del Norte, Aloran, Misamis Occidental and several areas in the Compostela Valley.

"I am pleased to say that our network roll-out, which now services about 80 percent of the total population, has extended network coverage not only to towns far from the provincial capitals, but also those areas that had been previously isolated by armed conflict," said Rolando Pe

Posted to the site on 20th January 2003