New Internet service provider Converge ICT has assured its current and would-be subscribers in Baguio and La Trinidad, Benguet that its services will improve by December.
The unstable connectivity experienced by subscribers in Northern Luzon was due to fiber cut in Tarlac and Pampanga brought about by Typhoon Ulysses, according to Converge ICT Head of Business Center and Transition Group Jan Meneses.
In a teleconference with the city council last Nov. 23, Meneses said Converge is also addressing complaints of poor customer service.
Having recently established its own office in the city, Meneses said this is due to the transition in operations after its contract with Benguet Electric Cooperative ended, but he assured that by December, all its systems will be in place. He said the company is committed in adhering to the company’s standards in customer service and after sales concerns.
Converge ended its partnership with Beneco last October.
Converge Consumer National Consumer and SME Sales Head Michael Maquiran said the company’s new business parameters have not been met so it decided not to renew its contract with Beneco. He said three new contracts covering sales, installation, and continuous use of a space at Beneco as business center have been prepared but no feedback was heard from the utility company.
In an earlier interview with the Courier, Beneco OIC General Manager Melchor Licoben said he has informed the board of directors the new business model offered by Converge no longer suits the direction of Beneco. The new agreements made Beneco as an optional outsourced company, no longer an exclusive partner.
Maquiran said the non-renewal of the contract is meant to improve its services even without a partner.
Some councilors said Converge rode on the public trust and confidence on Beneco then decides to severe their ties when it was able to achieve a desired number of subscribers.
Maquiran said Converge continues to deal with Beneco through their joint pole agreement.
He said Converge is committed in implementing its programs as contained in its business plan submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission, such as connecting 40,000 subscribers in Baguio alone.
The company is also preparing for the increased subscription by installing a network backbone spanning La Union to Aurora.
Beneco or Converge were asked to submit to the council their contract, which has not been made public because of their non-disclosure agreement.
Councilor Fred Bagbagen said that while the deal is between two private entities the agreement is imbued with public interest. – Rimaliza A. Opiña
