The Department of Tourism (DOT) extends its appreciation to Smart Communications for offering satellite (SAT) phones to regional tourism offices for use in times of emergencies.
After Typhoon Ursula left Boracay in a communications blackout over the Christmas holidays, Smart provided the Boracay tourism office with a SAT phone which was used by the public to send updates while mobile phone and internet networks were down.
Satellite phones are vital in maintaining communication between areas with compromised cell signal and the rest of the country. Following Boracay, DOT and Smart will equip other regional tourism offices with SAT phones for emergency use.
