THE PHILIPPINES, FEBRUARY 20, 2012: The Philippines’ largest mobile network provider, Smart Communications Inc., expects to complete its network upgrade in half the time, as it approaches the “final stretch” of the modernization program, according to an official statement.
The PHP67.1 bn project began last year and was earlier expected to run for three years, but could may as well finish in the middle of the year. The development, according to Smart, was revealed last February 14 during a courtesy call paid by Eric Xu, vice-chairman and chief executive of information technology solutions provider Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd., to PLDT and Smart Communications Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan.
Huawei Technologies is one of the company’s partners in the network upgrading, along with Ericsson and Nokia Siemens.
The network upgrade will enhance the signal reliability and quality, which will then improve all wireless services such as SMS, calls, and data services and Internet access. “Most importantly, our subscribers have already been enjoying the fruits of this endeavor, including superior voice connection and quality, quicker SMS delivery, enhanced data connection speeds, nationwide coverage and zero downtime, especially in times of disasters,” said Orlando B. Vea, co-founder and chief wireless advisor of Smart.
To date, PLDT and Smart have upgraded their network in the entire Visayas and Mindanao areas, and Bicol region in Luzon. The company has also employed fiber optics modernization that the company claimed would cover wider distances and high-speed data access.
