Not to be outdone by its longtime rival Globe Telecom, which this week announced a major upgrade to its 4G services while pledging new 5G coverage, Smart Communications confirmed that it has activated over 2000 5G sites in the Philippines.
With the threat of a new contender in the form of DITO Telecommunity, Smart (the wireless arm of PLDT) and Globe have both ramped up their rollouts in a bid to strengthen their networks. In a statement, Smart noted that it is seeking to “widen its array of Smart 5G-certified devices to make 5G easier to access.”
Smart launched commercial 5G services in Metro Manila and nearby provinces, including Cavite, Laguna and Rizal, in July 2020. Last month, it claimed to have extended this coverage to 17 cities within the National Capital Region (NCR) – the official name for Metro Manila – along with the cities of Angeles and Mabalacat in Pampanga, Bacoor in Cavite, and Binan and Santa Rosa in Laguna.
CommsUpdate notes that the operator has pledged to deliver 5G upgrades to 40% of its sites – around 4000 base transceiver stations – by the end of 2021.
