Smart: 5G adoption now drives data use

Filipinos adopting 5th generation technology (5G) now drive the growth of data, according to Smart Communications Inc. SVP and Head of Consumer Wireless Business Jane J. Basas.

Data traffic on Smart's 5G network grew by 65 percent in the first quarter 2022 as the number of unique 5G devices grew 35 percent from end 2021 to more than 1.58 million, she pointed out

Apart from offers catering to prepaid customers' changing needs and enabling them to experience 5G such as Giga Video 5G and Giga Video 5G+, Smart's Signature Plans+ also offered unlimited 5G with Netflix to drive 5G adoption.

"Following headwinds in the first quarter due to Typhoon Odette and the Omicron surge, we are now seeing encouraging signs of recovery as the economy reopens," Basas noted.

To support data traffic growth, Smart increased its total base stations to 76,600 nationwide as of end-March 2022.

These provide 3G, 4G/LTE and 5G to customers across the country, including around 7,300 5G base stations.

Parent firm PLDT's 803,000 kilometers of fiber infrastructure supports Smart's mobile network.