Telco banks on 5G to solve connectivity woes

CEBU, Philippines —  Pressured to provide faster internet connection to its subscribers as work, education, and all major sectors are now depending on technology to function, Smart Communications banks on 5G to solve connectivity issues.

“5G is a major milestone in the development of mobile phone services and digital technologies. It is a platform that enables new technologies such as artificial intelligence, internet of things, cloud computing and other digital services, that when combined, will not only enhance existing services, but also make possible a new generation of wireless services,” said Ramon R. Isberto, PLDT-Smart Public Affairs Head and First Vice President, in an interview with Cito Beltran’s Agenda on One News.

According to Isberto, the commercial launch of 5G in the Philippines will bring not only super-fast internet for mobile phone users but will also introduce a new generation of digital services for both individual consumers and enterprise customers.

Initially, 5G’s fiber-like speeds will improve entertainment services such as video viewing and e-sports and e-games.

“Through your 5G-capable handsets, you can enjoy streaming of high-movement videos such coverage of sports events.  You can now also enjoy e-sports and cloud-gaming and play your favorite PC games on mobile devices because of 5G,” said Lloyd Manaloto, Vice President for Corporate Marketing and Strategy at Smart.

Moving forward, 5G will make possible new services such as wireless sensors for the automation of factories, seaports and airports, for traffic management and e-health services.  It can also power the remote control of devices and vehicles such as tractors and cranes.

In July 2020, Smart announced the commercial deployment of its 5G mobile phone network.

In its initial phase, Smart Signature, Infinity and other Smart postpaid subscribers enjoyed the super-fast data service of Smart 5G in key business districts of Metro Manila using Smart-certified handsets with 5G-activated SIMs. These areas include the Makati Central Business District (CBD), Bonifacio Global City CBD, Araneta City, SM Megamall and Mall of Asia Bay Area. Smart 5G is also being rolled out in key high-traffic areas such North Avenue in Quezon City and Taft Avenue in Manila, as well as in Ortigas CBD, and Clark Green City in Pampanga.

Isberto and Manaloto explained that customers need to shift to 5G handsets to enjoy the new mobile service.

“To fully enjoy the benefits of 5G, people will need 5G-capable devices. The good news is, we are seeing more and more affordable devices in the coming months so that more people can benefit from 5G,” Isberto said adding that with technology becoming more pervasive, “it will just be a matter of time for handsets to become cheaper. 5G will also expand beyond mobile and enable devices and wearables.”

The strategy to deploy 5G has been embedded in Smart’s network planning over the past five years.

The PLDT’s wireless subsidiary started conducting tests with 5G in 2016.

In 2018, it fired up the country’s first 5G base stations in Makati with Huawei and the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga with Ericsson.

Last year, Smart also launched the first Smart 5G Lifestyle hub and 5G-enabled shopping mall In Araneta City, as well as the first Smart 5G campus at the Ateneo de Manila University.

It also recently fired up 5G at the Gariath Concepts esports venue in Quezon City, the first 5G-powered esports hub in the country, and at the TV5 Media Center in Mandaluyong City, the first 5G Media City.

These developments complement the sustained network expansion efforts of PLDT and Smart.

To date, PLDT and Smart have invested nearly P260 billion in overall capital expenditure (capex) over the past five years. In 2019 alone, the PLDT Group’s capex reached a record Php72.9 billion.

Moreover, 2020 capex is expected to reach Php70 billion despite the slowdown in network rollout due to the quarantine controls imposed in the second quarter of this year.

This capex program enabled PLDT and Smart to build the digital infrastructure needed to support the deployment first of 4G/LTE and later 5G. This involved, first of all, the deployment of an extensive fiber network.

The PLDT Group’s fiber network is the most pervasive in the country and extends to over nearly 360,000 kilometers as of June 2020. With this extensive fiber network, Smart has been able to fast-track the nationwide roll out of its 4G/LTE service.

To date, Smart’s high-speed broadband service is available in over 93 percent of the country’s cities and municipalities and serves 95 percent of the population.

The 5G technology is the fifth generation standard for cellular networks, which cellular phone companies began deploying worldwide in 2019. It is the planned successor to the 4G networks which provide connectivity to most current cellphones.