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Friday, March 29, 2024

Smart taps Aboitiz unit to build common telecom towers

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Smart Communications Inc. said it tapped Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc. and partner Frontier Tower Associates Philippines Inc. to increase nationwide connectivity through the construction of “common” network towers.

Smart signed a memorandum of understanding on August 19 with Aboitiz InfraCapital and FTAP to discuss and negotiate the lease of build-to-suit sites, towers and passive telecommunications infrastructure and facilities for Smart’s installation of telecommunications facilities and equipment nationwide, particularly in the Visayas and Mindanao.

Smart, a subsidiary of PLDT, covers over 90 percent of the country’s cities and municipalities with its 2G, 3G and 4G LTE (long-term evolution) network, serving over 67.5 million customers.

“We welcome the opportunity to partner with Aboitiz InfraCapital and FTAP and to accelerate the delivery of wireless services to more areas nationwide,” Smart president Alfredo Panlilio said.

“By supporting a faster and more efficient roll-out of our LTE and LTE-Advanced network, and eventually, our 5G base stations, this collaboration will enable Smart to serve the public even better with faster internet and innovative digital solutions,” Panlilio said.

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Aboitiz InfraCapital said the partnership with Smart would benefit the country as a whole.

“This latest collaboration with Smart is in step with Aboitiz InfraCapital’s goal to ramp up the country’s connectivity through infrastructure. Through these new common towers, Aboitiz InfraCapital, in partnership with FTAP, aims to build the right infrastructure that

will advance business and communities,” Aboitiz InfraCapital chief operating officer Cosette Canilao said.

Aboitiz InfraCapital will leverage its parent firm’s extensive experience in building and operating provincial utility networks like Visayan Electric, Davao Light and Cotabato Light. 

Meanwhile, FTAP, a member of established international tower firm Frontier Tower Associates Group, will bring experience gained from rolling out and operating thousands of towers in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations region and the Philippines.

“We look forward to a long-term partnership with Smart, where we can demonstrate our strong operating capabilities and service offering in support of our customers,” FTAP chairman Patrick Tangney said.

Aboitiz InfraCapital secured common tower deals with the country’s two largest telecommunication firms following a similar partnership with Globe Telecom in July.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology targets to build at least 50,000 new common towers across the country in the next seven to 10 years. 

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