‘Glenda’ disrupts mobile services in parts of Luzon

MANILA, Philippines — Power outages in various parts of Luzon caused mobile service disruptions in the wake of Typhoon “Glenda” (international name: Rammasun) on Wednesday, according to the country’s major telcos.

In a statement, Globe Telecom said the areas hit by Glenda suffered from service disruptions due to commercial power outages. These are Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Marinduque, Masbate, Quezon and Sorsogon.

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Several antennas from Globe’s cell sites were also damaged by Glenda’s strong winds, according to the statement.

But Globe said no major infrastructure was reported damaged as of posting time.

Globe corporate communications head Yoly Crisanto said their technical team were doing on-ground assessments for the immediate restoration of services.

The telco also activated regional disaster teams in South Luzon, North Luzon and Metro Manila for relief operations and assistance.

Crisanto also said they would install free call and text stations once they have received the go signal for deployment.

In an e-mailed advisory, Smart Communications said the widespread power outages in Metro Manila and Southern Luzon affected mobile and fixed line services in these areas.

Smart added that 15 to 20 percent of their facilities in these areas were affected by the storm.

The hardest hit areas are Masbate, Sorsogon and Albay, the advisory read.

Damage to network facilities such as in transmission links, as well as toppled utility poles due to strong winds, prompted the mobile service disruption, the advisory read.

Smart said though that their facilities have standby power in cases of prolonged outages when internal batteries have run out.

Smart also said it installed free call and text stations in various Glenda-hit areas.

These are in:

* Baytown Market
*San Isidro, Angono, Rizal;
*Tonsuya Elementary School, Malabon City;
*Baseco Evacuation Center, Manila;
*Navotas City Hall; and
*Roving Libreng Tawag in Legazpi City care of Alagang Kapatid Foundation.

As of 3 p.m., the eye of Glenda was located at 130 kilometers west of Olongapo City, Zambales, the country’s weather bureau Pagasa said.

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