PLDT & Smart expand network

Under the new normal, PLDT Inc. and Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) expanded their fixed and mobile networks nationwide in 2021, with PLDT’s fiber footprint up 73 percent to 743,700 kilometers, passing 14 million homes.

Last year, PLDT built 1.7 million ports to connect more homes with fiber. Todate, the telco has built 5.77 million ports, the largest number in the Philippines.

Domestic and international cable systems with capacities of 55TB and 16TB complete the network, linking the islands of the archipelago to each other and to the world.

To support the growing mobile data traffic, Smart increased its total base stations nationwide to 75,400 as of end-December, supporting its 3G, 4G/LTE and 5G subscribers from Batanes to Tawi-Tawi.

This includes around 7,200 5G base stations – the largest 5G network in the country, meant to support the adoption of 5G.

“Nearly two years into this pandemic, more activities continue to shift online," according to Alfredo S. Panlilio, PLDT Inc and Smart Communications President and CEO.

"This requires us to be unrelenting with our network initiatives despite pandemic restrictions and natural disasters, such as the recent Super Typhoon Odette," he pointed out.

"Our network has, in turn, enabled more Filipinos to access the internet to stay connected to their families, keep their livelihoods and businesses, engage in online learning, and participate in e-commerce.”