Smart inks common tower deal with Aboitiz unit

MANILA, Philippines — PLDT wireless subsidiary Smart Communications Inc. is set to bolster its network connectivity nationwide as it teams up with Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc. and partner Frontier Tower Associates Philippines Inc. (FTAP) for the construction of common towers.

Smart, Aboitiz InfraCapital and FTAP signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) last week to discuss and negotiate the lease of build-to-suit sites, towers, and passive telecommunications infrastructure and facilities for the installation of telecommunications facilities and equipment nationwide, particularly in Visayas and Mindanao.

“We welcome the opportunity to partner with Aboitiz InfraCapital and FTAP, and to accelerate the delivery of wireless services to more areas nationwide,” Smart president and CEO Alfredo Panlilio said.

Smart currently covers over 90 percent of the country’s cities and municipalities with its 2G, 3G, and 4G LTE network, serving over 67.5 million customers.

“By supporting a faster and more efficient roll-out of our LTE and LTE-Advanced network, and eventually, our 5G base stations, this collaboration will enable Smart to serve the public even better with faster internet and innovative digital solutions,” Panlilio said.

Smart has also signed a common tower deal with the tandem of Malaysia-based tower provider edotco Group Sdn Bhd and Filipino firm ISOC Infrastructure Inc., in which around 71 sites were initially identified.

With the partnership with Smart, Aboitiz InfraCapital has now secured common tower deals with the country’s two largest telecommunication firms, following a similar partnership signed with Globe Telecom last month.

“This latest collaboration with Smart is in step with Aboitiz InfraCapital’s goal to ramp up the country’s connectivity through infrastructure. Through these new common towers, Aboitiz InfraCapital, in partnership with FTAP, aims to build the right infrastructure that will advance business and communities,” Aboitiz InfraCapital chief operating officer Cosette Canilao said.

Aboitiz InfraCapital intends to leverage its parent firm’s extensive experience in building and operating provincial utility networks for the development of common towers.

The Aboitiz Group’s strong nationwide presence will enable the Aboitiz InfraCapital to implement its common tower initiatives efficiently and maximize its full potential.

Meanwhile, FTAP, a member of established international tower firm Frontier Tower Associates Group, will bring experience gained from rolling out and operating thousands of towers in the ASEAN region.

“We look forward to a long-term partnership with Smart, where we can demonstrate our strong operating capabilities and service offering in support of our customers,” FTAP chairman Patrick Tangney said.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology targets to build at least 50,000 new common towers across the country in the next seven to 10 years.