Smart undertakes major network expansion in Metro Manila

Smart Communications has recently announced that is undertaking a major network expansion in Metro Manila over the next three months to improve coverage and quality of voice, SMS, and mobile internet, particularly its LTE service.

Smart says that the rollout will significantly boost the reach of their LTE and 3G mobile data services in 17 municipalities and cities of Metro Manila. Indoor LTE coverage will quadruple while indoor 3G coverage will double.

To make that happen, the telco is deploying new base station equipment in about 2,500 cell sites across Metro Manila that use low-frequency bands such as 700MHz, 850MHz, and 900MHz for its LTE and 3G services. The rollout also includes high-frequency bands like 1800MHz and 2100MHz to increase cell site capacity.

“Smart is rolling out the fastest and most powerful mobile data network in the country, and we are focused on improving indoor coverage since we know that people use mobile internet services mostly indoors, particularly in Metro Manila – in their homes, offices, restaurants, coffee shops, and the like,” said Joachim Horn, chief technology and information advisor for PLDT and Smart.

Smart’s parent company, PLDT, has also submitted their three-year network roll-out plan to the NTC, which aims to make LTE progressively available to users in 1,551 cities and municipalities across the country by end-2018.

source: Smart