PLDT, Inc. and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with the Cauayan City government in Isabela province to help boost the latter’s efforts to become a “smart city.”

“Under the MoA, PLDT and Smart will upgrade their fixed and mobile network services to transform Cauayan, an agro-industrial hub in Northern Luzon, into a fully fiberized and Smart LTE-powered city that provides efficient digital services to its constituents,” the company said in a statement.

PLDT is committing to deliver internet speeds of up to 1 gigabits per second (Gbps) for its fixed broadband network in the area. Existing cell sites are also being upgraded to provide fourth-generation (4G) mobile data services.

“We are happy to join hands with the Cauayan City government in ushering in this new age of smart cities, and supporting their leaders’ efforts to advance the digital transformation of their communities,” PLDT Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Manuel V. Pangilinan said in the statement.

For his part, Smart President and Chief Executive Officer Alfredo S. Panlilio said he hopes Smart’s service will help Cauayan achieve the fullest of its smart city initiatives, such as its mobile app for business transactions, tax payment and permit processing.

PLDT is investing a record-high capital expenditure of P78.4 billion this year to support its network expansion all over the country. It said its fiber footprint has now reached more than 283,000 kilometers.

Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has a majority stake in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Denise A. Valdez

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