PLDT expands carrier-grade WiFi in MM, 40 provinces

MANILA, Philippines — PLDT Inc.’s wireless subsidiary has expanded the availability of the carrier-grade Smart WiFi in Metro Manila and 40 other provinces.

Smart Communications Inc. has ramped up its carrier-grade Smart WiFi  in the Metro Rail Transit (MRT), government offices, hospitals, schools, restaurants, airports, transportation hubs, and other key high-traffic areas across the country this year.

Carrier-grade means the WiFi service implements a network infrastructure which follows world-class standards, enabling users to experience fast and secure internet connection with high reliability, connectivity, and coverage.

It also allows customers in areas where there are large numbers of users to avail of value added services such as shopping, gaming, and streaming, among others.

The Smart WiFi has a backhaul capacity of up to 100 megabits per second (expandable to one gigabit per second), allowing users to enjoy reliable connectivity when accessing their emails and social media accounts, downloading and sending files on-the-go, and checking out relevant digital content and services online.

“With the help of our partners and government, we continue to invest in ICT (information and communications technology) infrastructure to help improve the quality of life of Filipinos all over country,” Jovy Hernandez, senior vice president and head of enterprise for PLDT and Smart, said.

Last June, Smart, in cooperation with the Department of Information and Communications Technology, launched the Smart WiFi service in the MRT stations and along the stretch of EDSA to provide a better mobile experience to commuters traversing the country’s busiest highway.

The company has also installed the carrier-grade Smart WiFi in various locations in Benguet, Batangas, Laguna, Cebu, Cagayan, Cavite, Ilocos Norte, Bulacan, Palawan, Leyte, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Iloilo, Davao, and Metro Manila, to make online government services more accessible.

Smart WiFi is also available at the National Bureau of Investigation’s headquarters in Manila, as well as in its offices in Bacolod, Bulacan, Batangas, Cavite, Pampanga, Cebu, Benguet, Leyte, Isabela, and Sarangani.

The service is likewise available in over 40 schools nationwide, including Adamson University, De La Salle University, UP Diliman, Ateneo de Naga, Pangasinan State University in Lingayen and Alaminos, Divine Word College in Laoag, Letran Calamba, Southern Luzon State University, Cebu Institute of Technology University, Eastern Visayas State University, Sacred Heart-Ateneo de Cebu, University of Cebu, University of Negros Occidental Recoletos, West Visayas State University, Bukidnon State University, and Holy Cross of Davao College, among others.

Hospitals such as Asian Hospital, Bacolod Adventist Medical Center, Bacoor Doctors Medical Center, Cardinal Santos Medical Center, Cebu Doctors University, Central Luzon Doctor’s Hospital, Davao Doctors Hospital, De Los Santos Medical Center, Doctors Hospital Bacolod, Dr Jesus M Delgado Hospital, Emilio Aguinaldo Medical Center, Lipa Medix, Marikina Valley Medical Center, Philippine Orthopedic, and West Metro Medical Center also have the Smart WiFi service.

In addition, over 60 entertainment hubs called “Smart Spots” have been launched, providing super speed Smart WiFi to more than 500 restaurants, resorts and other entertainment establishments across the country.

The Smart WiFi is likewise available in the country’s airports and other  transportation hubs.Smart’s nationwide rollout of the WiFi service complements the firm’s ongoing rollout of Long Term Evolution and 3G facilities across the country to provide customers with better services.