Smart rolls out LTE capacity upgrades to Metro Manila sites

PLDT, Inc.’s wireless mobile unit Smart Communications, Inc. said 92% of its network sites in Metro Manila has Long Term Evolution (LTE) and LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) coverage.
In a statement on Tuesday, Aug. 7, the telco giant said it has successfully upgraded its network sites in Quezon City, Marikina City, Caloocan City, Valenzuela City, Navotas City and Malabon City.
For Makati City and Manila City, the Pangilinan-led company said it expects completion of the LTE upgrade by October.
“Smart has deployed over 2,000 LTE sites across Metro Manila, which use low-frequency bands such as the 700 MHz band for wider coverage and better indoor penetration, and high-frequency bands like 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz bands for additional capacity,” it said.
It added, the company has “deployed carrier aggregation technology across all of Metro Manila’s 17 cities and municipalities, paving the way for much greater speeds in Metro Manila, where over 12 million Filipinos work and live.”
Last month, PLDT and Smart said it has been awarded by Internet speed-testing company Ookla the fastest fixed and mobile network in the country during the first half of 2018.
PLDT has allocated a P58-billion capital expenditure for the year, and its Smart unit is pushing for a more aggressive roll out of its LTE and LTE-A services.
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