PLDT, Smart moving into next gen tech

MANILA, Philippines — Telco giant PLDT Inc. and Smart Communications Inc. are exploring together with other global telcos next-generation technology for network enhancements.

PLDT and its wireless unit have started looking into vertical and horizontal network disaggregation alongside members of the global Next Generation Mobile Networks (NGMN) Alliance.

Network disaggregation is seen as both a consequence and accelerator of digital transformation, allowing networks to become increasingly agile, flexible and responsive, according to PLDT.

The telco said the journey toward network disaggregation is just starting.

“We are now building our expertise through our involvement in projects like this and working with experts from around the world, so that we are able to apply our learnings on our network, when it becomes beneficial to business and the time is right,” said PLDT and Smart head of technology strategy and transformation office and NGMN board of directors member Arvin Siena.

“We believe that network disaggregation, which includes cloud native implementation of Core and Open RAN (ORAN), offers a lot of potential for operators to be more agile and cost effective in operating the network.  In line with this, PLDT and Smart are also preparing the groundwork for the trial of Open RAN, which is a major component of network disaggregation, in its laboratory or Technolab,” Siena said.

The NGMN Alliance is a forum founded by world-leading mobile network operators.  Its goal is to ensure that next generation network infrastructure, service platforms and devices will meet the requirements of operators and, ultimately, will satisfy end-user demand and expectations.

“Working with major operators around the world and having them accept our inputs and analyses as co-author of NGMN’s latest white paper on Operating Disaggregated Networks bolsters PLDT and Smart’s thought leadership in the global arena,” PLDT and Smart head of technology Mario Tamayo said.

“This enables us to elevate our network, solutions and competencies to be at par with international operators, and bring world-class services and technologies to our own customers here in the Philippines,” Tamayo said.

Other NGMN Alliance members aside from PLDT and Smart who contributed to the white paper include experts from Deutsche Telekom, Bell Canada, British Telecom, China Mobile, Orange, Telecom Italia, Telus, 1&1, US Cellular, Chunghwa Telecom and Turkcell.