Smart “halfway through” network upgrade in Metro Manila

July 30, 2017

Expect more days of intermittent mobile phone signal for subscribers of Smart Communications in Metro Manila. “We are halfway through ( networks upgrade) in North NCR [National Capital Region], while we are close to completion in South NCR,” Mario Tamayo, PLDT and Smart senior vice president for Network Planning and Engineering said. “With these upgrades and our growing array of digital services and content offers, we look forward to serving our customers better with a truly superior experience where they can access relevant content using our robust network anytime,  anywhere, using a combination of LTE-ready devices, Smart LTE SIMs and Smart’s newest and fastest network,” he added. Internal tests conducted recently show that the average download speed on Smart’s LTE service is 21.5 mbps in North NCR areas covering Quezon City, Caloocan, Valenzuela, Novaliches, Malabon, Mandaluyong, San Juan, Pasig, Manila, Makati, Pasay, and Marikina. An average of 14.4 mbps was reached in South NCR areas Muntinlupa, Las Piñas, Taguig and Parañaque. Smart is  re-equipping its cell sites to use low-frequency bands such as 700 MHz and 850 MHz to provide better indoor coverage. It is also deploying high-frequency bands like 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz to increase the cell sites’ capacity to handle more calls, texts, and ever-increasing mobile data traffic. The comprehensive network modernization and expansion program is at the core of the PLDT group’s digital pivot. Smart’s network rollout took a big bulk of PLDT’s capital expenditure program of P42.8 billion for 2016, which included using new frequencies freed with the acquisition of San Miguel Corp.’s telco assets. DMS