Smart boosts PNP Regional Office, ramps up LTE and 5G rollout in La Union

PLDT and its wireless arm Smart Communications, Inc. have partnered with the Philippine National Police in the construction of a Multi-purpose Building at Camp Bgen Oscar M Florendo, Parian, City of San Fernando in La Union, as part of PLDT and Smart's overall efforts to assist the needs of communities and public institutions like the PNP.

Under this partnership with the PNP, PLDT and Smart have also put in place network facilities that assure connectivity for the community of Camp Florendo, its surrounding areas in the City of San Fernando, and the larger La Union province.

In addition to deploying an LTE site inside the camp, Smart has also fired up 5G in the City of San Fernando, as well as in Agoo, Bauang, Naguilian, Rosario and Tubao in La Union, as part of the company's ramped-up rollout of its wireless network across the country. To date, 100% of Smart's sites in La Union are already on LTE.

Smart's mobile network, the fastest mobile network in the country according to independent analytics firms Ookla and Opensignal, covers more than 96% of the population from Batanes to Tawi-tawi. Supporting this network is PLDT’S fiber infrastructure, the most extensive in the country at over 511,000 kilometers as of June. To date, Smart has also fired up more than 4,000 5G sites nationwide.

“We are grateful to PLDT and Smart for their outstanding contribution and unwavering support for PRO 1, especially for the construction of this multi-purpose hall,” said PNP Chief Gen. Guillermo T. Eleazar, who led the inauguration ceremonies attended by PNP Regional

Director Brigadier General Emmanuel B. Peralta and PLDT Enterprise Senior Relationship Manager Michael Catan, who received a Plaque of Appreciation from the PNP on behalf of PLDT Inc and Smart Communications President and CEO Alfredo S. Panlilio.

“Working with our government partners like the PNP to deliver fast and reliable connectivity to our fellow Filipinos is important to us at PLDT and Smart,” said Panlilio. “Together, we can support our increasingly connected societies especially in the new normal.”

PLDT and Smart’s relentless push to provide connectivity for all is aligned with the group’s long-standing commitment to help the Philippines attain the UN’S Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG #9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.