Smart wraps up ‘super-charged’ phase of development

SMART Communications has completed another phase of its continuing network modernization, ensuring improved service quality for subscribers across the country.

In a statement, Smart said its Chinese supplier Huawei, the world’s largest telecommunications components manufacturer, reported that it had successfully completed the 90- day post- modernization observation period of its “supercharged” mobile network.

Huawei is the network supplier of Smart for the Visayas and Mindanao, and the observation activity from July to September this year is part of Smart’s contract with the Chinese firm.

Huawei optimization engineers said that the Huawei- built network consistently exceeded the standards and requirements in all areas where the tests were conducted, Smart said.

“Huawei has fulfilled its end in helping Smart build the Philippines’ most advanced mobile network,” said Mar G. Tamayo of Smart Technology Services Division.

Using an industry- standard “Drive Test Tool,” a series of tests conducted during the observation period has reinforced the superiority of Smart’s mobile network across all key performance indices ( KPIs).

“These KPIs are consistent with the standards set by local regulatory institutions, and consistent with global benchmark standards,” Tamayo said.

The criteria are also the same service quality benchmarks used by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) when conducting its own drive tests.

“With Huawei’s world class equipment in place, the country is now ready to enter the next phase of development of the telecommunications industry,” Tamayo said.

The work Huawei did for Smart was part of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) group’s two-year, P67billion network modernization program aimed at helping the company cope with growing demand.

Smart ended the third quarter of 2012 with over 68 million mobile subscribers, more than two thirds of all active SIMs in the country. The group’s total subscriber count includes customers of affiliate brands Talk ‘ N Text and Sun Cellular.

PLDT reported a net income of P28.7 billion for the first nine months of 2012, lower by 6 percent year- on- year. The company expects to end the year with P37 billion in profit, down from last year’s P39 billion.