Better Internet is Happening

Mobile leader Smart Communications is undertaking a major expansion of its mobile internet coverage in Metro Cebu over the next three months as part of its three-year network improvement program that aims to bring high-speed internet service to 95% of the country’s cities and towns by the end of 2018.


“The activities we are implementing will greatly improve the reach and quality of our mobile phone and mobile internet services in Metro Cebu which is the central hub for business, education, and tourism in the Visayas region,” said Joachim Horn, Chief Technology and Information Advisor at PLDT and Smart.

Under this plan, Smart is boosting the coverage of its LTE and 3G mobile data services in Metro Cebu. The biggest gain will be in LTE coverage, which will quadruple while 3G coverage will double in the country’s second largest urban center.

Three-year network improvement program

According to Ramon Isberto, Head of Public Affairs at PLDT and Smart, better internet is happening and it starts here. A lot of work needs to be done - upgrading of towers and facilities.

This new roll-out plan includes the use of the 700 MHz frequency band that Smart obtained access to under a co-use arrangement as a result of the acquisition of the telecoms business of San Miguel Corporation (SMC) by PLDT and Globe Telecom last May.


Smart said it is focused on accelerating its LTE deployment, to make it progressively available to users in 1,551 cities and municipalities across the country by end of 2018.

Broad Effort to improve experience of Smart, TNT, and Sun Subscribers

A nationwide network integration program which started last year and is scheduled for completion by the end of this year, will provide improved mobile phone coverage for both Smart and Sun subscribers.

"LTE also known as 4G is cutting edge mobile internet", said Horn. “We have doubled our capacity and continued to expand for the best user experience," Horn adds.

Even as LTE is the focus of the network improvement program in Metro Cebu, it is a part of a broader effort to improve the overall quality of service available to millions of Smart, TNT, and Sun subscribers in the entire Cebu province.

Possible but minimal service interruptions


"We have a lot of work to do. Our commitment to all our subscribers is that they will have the best possible experience, particularly for mobile data," Isberto adds.

Isberto said that these major network improvements might result in some service disruption and affect small clusters of subscribers from time to time but Smart is putting systems in place to minimise the impact on subscribers.