Originally scheduled for completion in 2013, Smart president and chief executive officer Napoleon Nazareno said in a statement that the overhaul of Smart’s cellular network is part of the P67-billion network modernization program of the PLDT Group.
The program, according to Smart, has been fast-tracked in anticipation of increased demand for mobile services, particularly wireless broadband.
“The modernization program is not just an upgrade of our physical network equipment. We are investing heavily in our support systems and personnel re-training. That is why we refer to the program as a technology refresh,” Nazareno stressed.
Included in the modernization program are the installation of Multi Standard Radios which allow for push-button activation of the latest services and energy-efficient base stations which consume less electricity and take up less space.
Starting in late 2011, Smart replaced the radio equipment in 9,500 base stations with next-generation facilities that have increased its network’s capacity to handle voice, text messaging, and mobile broadband services.
Smart has been deploying Long Term Evolution (LTE) on a test basis since last year and has been gearing up to offer it as a commercial service.
LTE which is widely touted as the next generation of high-speed wireless broadband technologies capable of providing data speeds of up to 100 mbps and beyond.
“Every single base station of Smart is now easily upgradeable to fourth-generation technologies like HSPA+ and LTE,” Nazareno added.
The modernization program would enable Smart to offer high-speed mobile broadband in many more parts of the country.
For his part, Smart chief wireless adviser Orlando Vea said the company would move on to the next phase of its modernization program that includes introducing new billing and customer managements systems in the next few months.
“Our goal is to make simple and easy for our customers to use our unmatched network infrastructure through innovative and flexible service packages and superior customer service,” Vea said.
Smart’s infrastructure build up is also being complemented by network investments of PLDT that has completed the installation of over 50,000 kilometers of fiber optic cabling, covering the entire country and the laying of over 50,000 kilometers of fiber optic cabling in looped configuration for unparalleled resiliency.
PLDT recently started operating its third international undersea cable landing station in Daet, Camarines Norte.
PLDT has two other landing stations – one in Nasugbu, Batangas and the other in San Fernando, La Union – giving its international communications and internet services unmatched resiliency.
Rolando Peña, head of PLDT-Smart Network said both companies are now ready for the next chapter of telecommunications.
“With our enhanced networks, we can offer world class services to Filipinos such as Fiber to the Home and LTE,” Pena added.
PLDT has started to deploy on a commercial basis FTTH services in selected areas of Metro Manila. Fiber offers data connection speeds of up to 100Mbps.
Smart is the Philippines’ leading wireless services provider with 50.6 million subscribers on its GSM network as of end-March.
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