Free access to websites whitelisted by UP and Smart

If you’re one of the lucky few who currently studies or will study at the University of the Philippines, you’re in luck – Smart has just inked a deal with UP to provide free internet via several WiFi hotspots scattered across all UP campuses.

“This fosters more collaborative learning within the UP community, and allows every Isko and Iska to access online learning resources for free,” said Vea. “For us at Smart, this is part of our vision for digital inclusion, of making the Internet more accessible so that more Filipinos get to enjoy its benefits.”

For his part, UP president Pascual said, “This is more than just a simple triumph of technology. The hotspots will be a catalyst in unifying the seven constituent universities and one constituent college of the UP System and will signal the start of greater collaboration between UP and Smart in bringing Philippine education into the 21st century.”

Under the agreement, websites whitelisted by Smart and UP can be accessed for free over WiFi inside UP campuses. This likely means educational websites like Wikipedia and similar sites that have resources for some of the courses that UP offers will be free to access. Meanwhile, sites that are not whitelisted can still be accessed for free for 30 minutes per day. Data usage beyond that period will be charged the usual rates.