AS businesses closed down and jobs were lost amid global lockdowns, innovations and faster technology have enabled some enterprises to shift their focus in order to survive. With the use of mobile technology underpinning efforts of businesses to stay afloat, PLDT wireless arm Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), has continued to improve on customer experience, as attested by third-party mobile analytics company, Opensignal.
In its most recent report[1], Opensignal shared that in Northern Mindanao, Smart leads in performance in terms of Video Experience, Download Speed Experience, and Upload Speed Experience. Smart also received its inaugural 4G Coverage Experience award in the Philippines, which is based on how mobile subscribers experience 4G coverage on an operator’s network.
For videographer and drone pilot Mark Quitoriano, business took a downturn when contract after contract got canceled. Good thing he was able to shift focus to providing online streaming during events.
“With Smart, download and upload speeds are consistent. This is what I need to do live streaming – reliable upload speeds,” Quitoriano shared.
According to Opensignal’s analysis [2], Smart users in Mindanao observed download speeds that increased by more than 50% and improved latency scores or fewer delays by 28.3% (the biggest improvement among all the regions surveyed). Over the last quarter of 2018 up to the third quarter of 2020, 4G availability also rose by 34.5% in the region, ahead of the competition.
“What I love about the Smart LTE network is that I can work anytime, anywhere,” said Lenz Libres, an online content editor for an Australian e-magazine. Lenz considers a good internet connection essential for high productivity and performance.
“My Smart Bro Pocket Wifi helped me a lot with this,” she shared. With a reliable connection, she can submit her articles on time and meet her other deadlines managing the e-magazine.
“Internet connectivity has become essential, especially in these days when conferences, meetings, and classes are done virtually,” said teacher Marvilyn Chiva of the Department of Education. Marvilyn is glad that with Smart’s mobile network, she can also enjoy many things aside from her profession and studies.
Mario G. Tamayo, Senior Vice President for Network Planning and Engineering for PLDT-Smart, highlighted the importance of PLDT group’s sustained network investments in delivering the best customer experience across the country.
“With Covid-19 and the ‘new norm’, connectivity has also allowed many people to continue working and studying from the safety of their homes,” Tamayo said.
“As we continue to monitor our progress through the lens of third-party independent companies like Opensignal, which have acknowledged the consistent performance of PLDT and Smart's networks for the past several quarters, we know that our work does not stop with their recognition.
There are still opportunities to improve and connect more Filipinos nationwide, as we aim to bring the Philippines to the level of the best in the region,” Tamayo added.
PLDT’s fiber infrastructure, the most extensive in the country, is now at more than 422,000 kilometers. This fiber infrastructure supports Smart’s mobile networks, which cover 96% of the population and are present in 95% of cities and municipalities.
These network investments form a large part of the PLDT Group’s sustained capital expenditures on their networks, which totaled some P260 billion from 2015 to 2019. For 2020, with the network rollout regaining momentum following the easing of lockdown restrictions, PLDT has leveled up its target capital expenditures back up to about P70 billion or more. (PR)
