Cell phone signals switched off for pope

MANILA, Philippines - Equipped with smartphones, netizens were eager to upload photos and videos of captured moments with the pope, only to find out there was no phone signal.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II confirmed that mobile phone signals of all networks had been switched off when Pope Francis was outside the Apostolic Nunciature, his temporary residence during his Philippine visit.

Roxas said the measure was meant to ensure the safety of the pope and the people coming to see him. He noted that the government does not want any criminal element taking advantage by triggering any explosive device.

“When the pope returns to the Nunciature, the network signals would also return. When he travels to MOA (Mall of Asia), the signals would again be disrupted. We just want to be sure that any explosive device would not be triggered because of mobile phones,” Roxas said.

The DILG chief said authorities decided to turn off mobile phone signals in Metro Manila, and not only in a portion of the National Capital Region, to avoid the overlapping of signals which would allow mobile phones to make calls.

Mobile phones could be used as detonators of explosives.

At the same time, Roxas said he himself received notifications from telecommunication companies of the loss of mobile network signals.

In an advisory, Smart Communications Inc. said there would be temporary interruption of services during the papal visit.

Smart sent an apology to all its subscribers for the temporary disruption of services Thursday night when the pope arrived at Villamor Air Base.

“We apologize for the temporary interruption of mobile phone services last night (Thursday) which was ordered by government authorities in the interest of public safety,” the advisory read.

Dominant carrier Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) has 72 million subscribers, of whom about 69 million are mobile phone owners of Smart, Talk ’N Text and Sun Cellular.

“In compliance with an order to mobile phone operators from government authorities, the cellular services of Smart and Sun Cellular were temporarily suspended in Metro Manila, including some municipalities of nearby provinces,” PLDT spokesman Ramon Isberto said.

“This was done in the interest of public safety during the ongoing visit of His Holiness Pope Francis,” Isberto added.

According to him, subscribers could experience similar disruptions during the five-day papal visit.

“Please bear with us if similar situations arise in the next few days here in Metro Manila as well as other sites on the papal itinerary,” Isberto said.

Globe installs more cell sites

Meanwhile, Ayala-led Globe Telecom Inc. said its services could be affected by the surge in the number of subscribers using the network, especially in areas to be visited by the pope.

Globe said it has installed additional cell sites within Manila, Makati and Pasay in anticipation of a surge in demand during the papal visit.

“However, the overwhelming number of people using our network in the said areas may result in signal and Internet connection difficulties,” the company said.

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has issued a directive to telecommunications providers on the temporary loss of mobile signal and Internet connection, especially in areas surrounding the motorcade route of Pope Francis. – With Lawrence Agcaoili