A JP Morgan study showed that Smart Communications has the fastest LTE service in the Philippines, with average download speeds constantly improving over time.
In April 2017, based on a report from users of the OpenSignal app which lets them do their own speed tests, JP Morgan mentioned that Smart “leads in overall LTE download speeds and at regional levels.”
Smart LTE registered an average LTE download speed of 10.91Mbps from December 2016 to February 2017. 11.76Mbps in Metro Manila, 8.56Mbps in Southern Luzon, and 10.42Mbps in the Visayas region in the same period.
The telco has also improved its LTE speeds in all areas covered by the study, with figures being the highest in last 8 testing periods of OpenSignal.
Smart also led in terms of average 3G download speeds at the country level (2.22 Mbps) and 3.25Mbps in Metro Manila, the highest in the last eight testing periods.
“We are happy to know that our subscribers are increasingly enjoying our newest and fastest LTE network. We have made intensive capital outlay to accelerate the deployment of LTE sites because LTE significantly boosts the speed, quality, and reliability of our mobile data service” – Joachim Horn, PLDT-Smart Chief Technology and Information Advisor
Smart is currenty re-equipping its cell sites to utilize low-frequency bands such as 700MHz and 850MHz for better indoor coverage, while also deploying high-frequency bands such as 1800MHz and 2100MHz to increase the cell sites’ capacity for Mobile Data Traffic.
PLDT and Smart have committed to expand its LTE coverage progressively to 95% of cities and municipalities in the country by the end of 2018.
“While the J.P.Morgan study did not include Mindanao, our subscribers are already experiencing improved LTE service there, particularly in Metro Davao where we have completed our network overhaul program,” – Horn
“Soon, more Filipinos from all over the country will enjoy a digital experience like never before. Our network dominance and reliability will enable us to deliver a superior digital experience to Filipinos, whose appetite for relevant digital content is constantly growing.” -Eric Alberto, PLDT-Smart Chief Revenue Officer
Through its LTE rollout, Smart was also laying foundation for further improvements in service such as LTE-A which can provide subscribers with even faster speeds and greater capacity. It’s also continuing to fortify its 3G network for the majority of subscribers who are using 3G handsets.
Emman has been writing technical and feature articles since 2010. Prior to this, he became one of the instructors at Asia Pacific College in 2008, and eventually landed a job as Business Analyst and Technical Writer at Integrated Open Source Solutions for almost 3 years.
