THE National Telecommunications Commission has ordered all public telecommunications and internet services providers to ensure minimal service disruption and downtime of their services during the holiday season.
In a memorandum signed by Commissioner Gamaliel A. Cordoba, the NTC is directing telcos and ISPs to “observe a heightened level of emergency preparedness to ensure minimal disruption and downtime strictly complying with the prescribed service performance standards at all times” as “Internet/on-line traffic is projected to increase considerably during this Christmas.”
Despite the decrease in COVID-19 cases, the Department of Health is encouraging the holding of Christmas parties virtually due to the Omicron coronavirus threat. In a recent press briefing of DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, she said: “Kung magki-Christmas party po baka maaari, virtual parties muna. Let’s have that sacrifice first para po sa kapakanan ng ating pamilya at sa kapakanan po ng buong sambayanang Pilipino.
The DOH call is expected to lead to a surge in internet traffic during the holiday season.
“During the period from December 17, 2021 to January 7, 2022, you are hereby directed to fast track your maintenance efforts, increase internet/broadband capacities, and ensure that business continuity and disaster recovery protocols are in place and functioning, 24/7,” the NTC told the telco entities.