Smart issues advisory on Metro Manila service disruptions

MANILA, Philippines - Subscribers of Smart Communications Inc. in parts of Metro Manila may experience service disruptions until April 8, as the telco implements network upgrades.

Ramon Isberto, head of public affairs at PLDT Inc. and Smart said subscribers in areas where new cell site equipment are being installed may expect disruption in service.

“We are changing cell site equipment in their area. It will disrupt service but hopefully we can minimize impact,” he said.

He said Smart is informing subscribers in affected areas of the upgrades via text messaging.

Smart is asking for their subscribers’ understanding as the upgrades are intended to enable the telco to deliver improved services.

Smart is working on network upgrades in Metro Manila and Metro Cebu as part of its commitment to the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to increase 4G or Long Term Evolution (LTE), as well as improve 3G and 2G coverage.

Under the three-year rollout plan submitted by PLDT to NTC last year, Smart aims to accelerate LTE deployment and make such available to users in 1,551 cities and municipalities by the end of next year.

Initials results in Metro Manila and Metro Cebu are encouraging.

In Metro Cebu, Smart has seen average LTE download speeds of 20 Mbps and average 3G download rates of 6 Mbps.

As for Rizal, the average download rates in the areas where cell sites have been upgraded are at 23.3 Mbps for LTE.

Smart has earlier completed its rollout of enhanced 4G and 3G coverage using low-band frequencies in Boracay and Metro Davao.