PLDT reports 45% increase in LTE base stations, wider fixed broadband network

PLDT Inc. announced the deployment of more LTE sites and the expansion of its fixed-line network in the first semester of the year.

The company, together with mobile subsidiary Smart Communications, said it had installed more than 3,900 LTE base stations during the period. This increased the total count by 45 percent to 12,600.

It also activated LTE-Advanced sites in Batanes, Sagada and Cagayan, as well as in Palawan, Sorsogon, Cebu, Bohol, Leyte, Davao and Sarangani.

“With this rollout, Smart is on track to fulfill its commitment to the National Telecommunications Commission to provide high-speed wireless data services in over 90 percent of the country’s cities and municipalities by the end of 2018,” the company said in a statement.

PLDT also highlighted the expansion of its fixed-line network.

It increase the coverage of its fixed broadband network to 5.07 million homes passed and boosted its capacity to 1.86 million ports. It earlier set a full-year target of 2.2 million ports.

In the first half of 2018, PLDT increased its fiber footprint to 204,000 kilometers, rolling out over 29,000 km of fiber cable.

“These expansion projects greatly enhance Smart’s mobile network by providing high-capacity fiber connections for LTE base stations,” PLDT said in the statement.

It has also been deploying more fiber across urban areas, which it dubbed “Smart cities.”

This started with Toledo, Cebu and was followed by General Santos City in Mindanao, Naga in the Bicol Region, and South Metro Manila which includes Parañaque and Las Piñas, East Metro Manila which includes Pasig and Antipolo. It also rolled out in business districts like Rockwell Makati and Bonifacio Global City. Cavite became the first “Smart province” late last year.

The company also rolled out fiber in the tourist town of El Nido in Palawan with future plans of expanding to other municipalities.