Smart is at it again. Not long after their improved data roll out, the largest mobile provider is again taking things to the next level. Some users might be noticing a 4G+ icon popping up on their iPhone 6s or Samsung Galaxy s5 which means is that those users are in the range of the Smart LTE-A base station and before long, users can experience mobile data at speeds of up to 100 mbps.
Smart LTE-A – Going Next Level
Already deployed in Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, and Metro Davao, users can expect blinding data speeds very soon. These LTE-A base stations are part of Smart’s plans to have the whole country able to access LTE signals. This means better functionality for the emerging mobile lifestyle of Filipinos.
Short for LTE-Advanced, Smart continues to take things higher for their mobile service. According to Joachim Horn, PLDT and Smart Chief Technology and Information Advisor, it is the right time to focus on the LTE-A technology. The prominence of capable smartphones in the market like the iPhone 6S Plus, 7 and 7 Plus, and Samsung Galaxy S5, S6 and S7 allows for more people to enjoy this quality of service. Using a capability called “carrier aggregation” LTE-A is able to combine two or more radio frequency bands to offer bigger bandwidths at faster speeds.
Long Term Plans
Already started when Smart rolled out an LTE-A Base station in Boracay, in April last year, the plan is to use LTE-A to not only springboard to 5G by 2020. They also plan to use this impressive data quality to improve 2G Voice call qualities and indoor 3G quality.
Horn said that they intend to add 1,551 municipalities that are in LTE range by the end of 2018. To do so, Smart has been working on the foundation of their service upgrade which is the re-equipping of cell sites to properly accommodate the growing needs of the modern mobile user.