The PLDT Group has signed a deal with Huawei Technologies Philippines to jointly conduct research and development on 5G, or fifth-generation wireless broadband technology.
PLDT and Smart under the agreement will work with Huawei to shape the strategic and commercial development of the 5G ecosystem in the Philippines.
The two parties will identify and develop the areas of technological innovation needed to deliver 5G, which is expected to provide the foundation for the digital connected society.
Plans include setting up a 5G innovation lab and the creation of a showcase network.
Smart is in the middle of a multi-year, multi-million dollar nationwide network expansion program to improve both coverage and quality of service, epecially its 4G LTE (Long-Term Evolution) service.
A major leg of the network expansion was recently completed in Metro Davao, where Smart users are already reporting much improved mobile data experience.
The rollout is currently under way in Metro Manila and Metro Cebu, and is expected to significantly boost Smart’s voice, SMS, and mobile data services, especially its indoor LTE coverage, in these urban centers.
An upgrade of PLDT’s fixed access networks, part of the company’s transformation toward 5G-readiness, is also under way.
Initial tests done by Smart have found that the ongoing network rollout in and around Metro Manila has begun to pay off, with tests in Rizal province showing LTE download speeds of up to 18 Mbps, while tests in selected indoor and outdoor areas in Cebu have also generated download speeds in excess of 20 Mbps.
“Smart is focused on LTE, as it provides us the best platform to bring high-speed mobile internet throughout the country,” Joachim Horn, chief technology and information advisor for PLDT and Smart said.
“LTE facilities, with strengthened transport links, can be quickly upgraded to LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), and will be an integral part of our future 5G network,” he added.