Smart activates LTE service on Pag-asa Island in West Philippine Sea

Smart Communications Inc., the wireless unit of PLDT, said Wednesday it has now activated 4G/LTE network services on Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea.

In a statement, Smart said it has recently fired up LTE service in the country's “most remote” cell site, located some 500 kilometers from the capital city of Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

This, it said, will enable residents of Pag-asa Island to use mobile data to “communicate with family members and loved ones via chat apps and video calls, share photos, send emails or watch videos online.”

“In an email sent from Pag-asa Island, Smart engineer Edbert Aquitania shared a screenshot of the message he received upon firing up the LTE site: ‘Welcome back to the Philippines!’” according to Smart.

To recall, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and some reporters visiting the remote island received “Welcome to China!” and “Welcome to Vietnam!” text messages upon their arrival.

Smart has since explained that the cellular site of the company in the area has been down for several months, and repairmen were having a hard time getting there.

The company said receiving such messages is nothing unusual since Chinese and Vietnamese operators’ cell sites are on nearby islands.

Smart said activating LTE service on Pag-asa Island marks another step toward improved communications for the island’s residents, who were first connected via mobile communication in 2005, when Smart turned on its 2G service on the island.

“The activation of LTE in Pag-asa island is proof of our continued commitment to give our customers access to our services, wherever in the Philippines they may be, regardless of the challenges,” Mario Tamayo, senior vice president and head of Network Planning and Engineering at PLDT-Smart, said.

Smart said the LTE activation is part of its continuing rollout of its LTE services nationwide.

To date, the company said its high-speed broadband service is available in 93% of the country’s cities and municipalities and serves 95% of the population.

“This rollout is part of PLDT and Smart’s sustained investments in their network, which have totaled some P260 billion from 2015 to 2019,” it said.

“Amid the regained momentum of its network rollout efforts following the easing of lockdown restrictions, PLDT has leveled up its target capital expenditures for 2020 back up to about P70 billion,” it added. -MDM, GMA News