PLDT-Smart accelerates fiber, LTE rollout in January to August

Pangilinan-led PLDT Inc. and its wireless subsidiary Smart Communications Inc. have sped up its fiber and LTE rollout in the first eight months of the year to further expand its reach and capacity to cater to increasing customer demand amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

As of end-August, PLDT-Smart said its fiber infrastructure now spans 382,500 kilometers, up 19% from end-2019 as it boosts the coverage of its fiber-powered fixed network to 8.1 million homes, 12% higher year-on-year.

Alongside the increase in fixed network coverage, the telco has also increased its available capacity by 8% to 3.78 million ports.

Meanwhile, PLDT-Smart also further ramped up its LTE rollout, increasing the number of LTE base stations on its network by 15% to 28,200 as of end-August.

The accelerated network rollout has included the firing up of LTE sites in far-flung areas, including Pag-asa Island in Palawan and the town of Kawayan in the island province of Biliran.

"Our sustained investments in our network over the years have put us in a strong position to meet the surge in demand for our services amid the pandemic," Mario Tamayo, senior vice president for Network Planning and Engineering for PLDT-Smart, said.

"These investments likewise lay the foundation to support increasingly bandwidth-intensive applications which are driven by technological advancements such as 5G," Tamayo added.

Smart also expanded its commercial 5G service nationwide after rolling out more 5G sites in Visayas and Mindanao, including key areas in Boracay, Cebu, Iloilo and Davao.

First launched in July, the 5G service was initially available to Smart Signature, Infinity, and other Smart postpaid subscribers. The service is now available to Smart Prepaid subscribers who can now also enjoy Smart 5G in selected areas using 5G handsets with 5G-activated SIMs.

The ramped-up network rollout is part of PLDT-Smart’s sustained investments in their network, which have totaled some P260 billion from 2015 to 2019, according to the telco.

Amid the regained momentum of its network rollout efforts following the easing of lockdown restrictions, PLDT-Smart said it has leveled up its target capital expenditures for 2020 to P70 billion or higher.—LDF, GMA News