Smart progressing in shift to innovative connectivity

MANILA, Philippines — Smart Communications Inc. is hopping on the open radio access network (RAN) bandwagon, keeping up with the industry shift to move to cost-friendly and innovative options in providing connectivity.

In partnership with Tokyo-based NTT Docomo Inc., the wireless leader achieved a Philippine first in testing a proof of concept for the use of an open RAN intelligent controller.

The trial involved the deployment of open RAN in various use cases of Smart services like voice calls, video streaming, video calls and mobile gaming.

Prior to this, Smart became the first mobile operator in the Philippines to test the technologies of open RAN.

The telco explored the technology and its makeup for about four years before it made the decision to start integrating it in its operations.

The use of open RAN means that a telco combines network components bought from different vendors to deliver connectivity to subscribers.

Globally, operators are starting to shift to open RAN for its propositions of improving competition and cutting costs.

Smart, for its part, is banking on open RAN to enhance its operational efficiency and speed up its service delivery.

Eric Santiago, first vice president and network head at Smart, said the telco is exploring open RAN to ensure that it could keep connectivity affordable and prepare its network for future demand.

“This is a major milestone in future-proofing our network by leveraging on artificial intelligence and machine learning in our radio access network and making it ready for future new services to our customers,” Santiago said.

Smart vice president and network strategy and transformation head Arvin Siena said the company wants to secure its spot in the potential market as the rising demand for open RAN is seen creating an industry of its own in the future.

“If we roll out open RAN in the Philippines, Filipino IT and software developers can invent and develop software for the Philippine telco industry. This, in turn, will enable mobile operators like Smart to localize the software supply and potentially boost the country’s economy,” Siena said.

Smart’s parent PLDT Inc. is taking actions to use the latest innovations like artificial intelligence (AI) for customer service and network expansion.

Last August, PLDT president and CEO Alfredo Panlilio said the largest telco player in the country is trying to maximize the growth of AI in coming up with new products and services.