Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) is expecting to deliver a
triple-digit increase in 5G users in the country in the next few years.
According to Smart, this outlook is based on the rapid growth of Smart 5G users, which have now reached around 800,000 –
a 200 percent increase from the number of Smart 5G users in December 2020.
Smart has also delivered a three-fold increase in 5G data traffic in the first quarter and second quarter of 2021. This contributed to Smart’s 39.5 million mobile data users as of end-June, resulting in a double-digit increase in mobile data revenues in the first half of 2021 compared to the same period last year.
“When it comes to 5G, speed and coverage are the most important considerations. This is why since we pioneered the Philippines’ first 5G commercial service last year, our focus has been to lead in both 5G speeds and 5G coverage so as to empower Filipinos with world-class customer experience,” said Alfredo S. Panlilio, PLDT Inc. and Smart Communications President and CEO.
To date, Smart has also deployed over 4,400 5G sites in more than 4,000 locations.
Early this month, Smart also put the Philippines on the 5G world map as it unveiled the first batch of its commercial 5G Standalone (SA) sites in Makati City, one of the first 5G SA networks in the world. To further explain, 5G SA technology paves the way for new industrial applications as it provides fast response times and faster access to higher data rates that are critical in advancing Internet of Things solutions for businesses, health care, and smart cities.
Moreover, aside from its 5G network rollout, Smart has also introduced pioneering 5G services to entice and migrate more data users to 5G such as its recently unveiled Signature Plans+, the first postpaid line-up in the country that features Unlimited 5G. Smart also mentions that they are gearing up to make 5G-ready devices like the latest iPhone 13.
