PLDT, Smart pick Araneta City for launch of 5G lifestyle hub

MANILA, Philippines — PLDT and wireless subsidiary Smart Communications have forged an agreement with the Araneta Group to launch 5G technology in the 35-hectare Araneta City in Quezon City.

The partnership will transform Araneta City into the country’s first Smart 5G Lifestyle Hub, which will feature the country’s first 5G indoor deployment and the first 5G-enabled shopping mall.

“Over the years, we have worked with the Araneta Group in achieving their vision to elevate the experience of Filipino mall-goers. Today, we are taking another big step forward into the future and revolutionizing the Filipino entertainment experience by deploying cutting-edge digital technology and high-quality connectivity in the country’s first Smart 5G Lifestyle Hub, Araneta City,” PLDT chairman and chief executive officer Manuel V. Pangilinan said.

The agreement with the Araneta Group follows successful 5G initiatives taken by PLDT and Smart since last year.

“Last year, we fired up our first 5G base stations in Clark and Makati and launched the first Smart 5G Cities. Earlier this year, we launched the first Smart 5G Campus in Ateneo, and the Smart 5G Alliance. Today, we are marking another milestone in our 5G journey, this time by enabling Araneta City to be the country’s first full 5G coverage lifestyle hub,” Smart president and CEO Al Panlilio said.

PLDT chief technology and information advisor Joachim Horn said 5G is a versatile technology that can provide a more flexible and powerful platform for entirely new services with its capability to deliver extremely high speeds coupled with low latency.

“Its capabilities can be customized according to the use cases, and with this partnership, we look forward to piloting 5G-powered entertainment services here in Araneta City,” said Horn.

Meanwhile, Smart has also deployed carrier grade WiFi connectivity with Google Station in heavy foot-traffic areas in Araneta City.

Google Station is already available in Gateway Mall, Gateway Tower and Gateway Gallery, Coliseum Arcade, Ali Mall, Farmers Plaza, Shopwise Arcade, Cyberpark 1, New Frontier Theater, Manhattan Parkway, Parkview and Heights Arcade, Telus Arcade, Farmers

Market-Dampa, Aurora Tower Arcade, Smart Araneta Coliseum and Araneta City Bus Port.

These Araneta City venues are part of the growing list of more than 600 Google Station sites nationwide that Google and Smart announced.

Google Station has also been deployed in government offices, city and provincial halls, hospitals, tertiary schools, and transportation hubs like airports and seaports.