PLDT Inc. and Smart Communications, Inc. are boosting their fiber, Long Term Evolution LTE, and 5G networks in Eastern Visayas to improve customer internet experience in the region.

To date, 100 percent of Smart's sites in the provinces of Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Western Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte and Biliran are already on LTE.

Smart has also fired up 5G sites in Tacloban, Ormoc, Baybay, Villaba, Tolosa, Albuera, and Tanauan in Leyte, Calbayog and Santa Margarita in Western Samar, Borongan in Eastern Samar, and Catarman, Bangkerohan and Bobon in Northern Samar.

PLDT, which has existing fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) facilities in the cities of Tacloban, Ormoc, and Calbayog, as well as in the towns of Palo and Tanauan, has expanded its fiber infrastructure to the Leyte towns of Tolosa, La Paz, Mayorga, MacArthur, Abuyog, Alangalang, Albuera, Hindang, Inopacan, Hilongos, Bato, Matalom and Isabel.

The local government of Hindang, Leyte cited their "significantly higher returns" on their investment in fiber.

"We will now be able to help people at all levels to communicate and spur productivity that lead to greater competitivenes,” noted Hindang's Municipality Mayor Betty A. Cabal.

“PLDT and Smart are committed to reach and serve all the regions across the country, enabling both the public and private sectors to adapt and transition into the New Normal,” stressed Mario G. Tamayo, Head of Technology of PLDT and Smart.

“Reliable connectivity will empower companies in Leyte to be more competitive, facilitating seamless processes and operations, including the efficient use of cloud services," he elaborated.

"This network expansion also enables teachers and students to participate in online learning and teaching."