PLDT hikes capital spending, rolls out 5G on July 30

July 29, 2020

PLDT Inc. has raised its capital spending budget this year to P70 billion as it  rolls out 5G services in key business districts in Metro Manila and soon in other parts of the country starting July 30.

It said capital expenditures in 2020 is expected to reach P70 billion from the P60-plus billion level that was announced last May.

PLDT also announced that its 5G mobile phone network of Smart Communications starts as a commercial service beginning July 30.

PLDT’s announcement of higher capex and 5G service came after President Duterte threatened to shut down PLDT and Globe Telecom if they did not improve their services by December.

In this initial phase of its 5G commercial deployment, Smart Signature, Infinity and other Smart postpaid subscribers will enjoy super-fast data service of Smart 5G in key business districts of Metro Manila using Smart-certified handsets with 5G-activated SIMs.

These areas include the Makati Central Business District (CBD), Bonifacio Global City CBD, Araneta City, SM Megamall and Mall of Asia Bay Area.  Smart 5G is also being rolled out in key high-traffic areas such North Avenue in Quezon City and Taft Avenue in Manila, as well as in Ortigas CBD, and Clark Green City in Pampanga.

Alfredo Panlilio, PLDT chief revenue officer and Smart president and  chief executive said “as we rollout 5G in more areas of the country, this will complement the deployment of our 4G/LTE network which is already the fastest and most extensive in the country. To date, Smart 4G/LTE and 3G coverage serves 95 percent of the country’s population,”

PLDT had invested nearly P260 billion in overall capital expenditures over the past five years to execute the 5G development plant. DMS