PLDT continues to improve LTE services

PLDT Inc.’s wireless unit Smart Communications Inc. said it continued to improve Long Term Evolution (LTE) service by leading in terms of download speeds nationwide in the fourth quarter of last year.

Citing a survey of research firm OpenSignal, which measured the performance of operators in major Asian markets, Smart had an average LTE download speed of 12.7 Mbps in the fourth quarter, up 38.5 percent from the same period a year ago, and ahead of its competitor’s 7.5 Mbps.

It also said the survey showed it ranked 28th in terms of LTE speeds, beating its competitor which placed 40th out of 43 operators.

Smart said it was the leader in all regions of the country in terms of LTE speeds through its average download speed of 13.3 Mbps in the National Capital Region, 12 Mbps in the Visayas, 12.8 Mbps in South Luzon, 14.7 Mbps in Mindanao and 11.4 Mbps in North Central Luzon, compared to the competitor’s 8.5 Mbps, 6.6 Mbps, 6.4 Mbps, 7.9 Mbps and 7 Mbps, respectively.

It also said the OpenSignal results showed Smart led in terms of network responsiveness as its LTE service posted lower latency nationwide.

Network latency refers to the time it takes for a packet of data to get from one designated point to another.

“These results are proof that our multi-year investments in network improvements are paying off. By continuously expanding our LTE networks, we are bringing a faster and more responsive network to our customers across the country,” Mario Tamayo, PLDT and Smart senior vice president for network planning and engineering said.

PLDT group chief revenue officer Eric Alberto said PLDT and Smart are leading the way in providing world-class mobile internet connectivity in the country.

“Our continuous efforts at upgrading our network enables us to offer a wider array of digital services and life solutions, make the best video, social media and gaming experience more accessible to our customers as their trusted digital partner, and improve the business of our partnerretailers,” he said.

PLDT has set its capital expenditures at more than P50 billion this year, its highest allocation ever, to continue network improvements as it prepares for the entry of a third telco player.

PLDT’s capex is expected to stay at that level over the next two years.

President Duterte has said earlier, he wants a new telco player to enter the country to compete with existing providers and allow consumers to experience better services, amid complaints of dropped calls and slow internet speeds.

Smart’s LTE and 3G expansion program which initially covered Boracay, Metro Davao, Metro Cebu, Rizal, and Metro Manila last year, has been brought to other parts of the country.