For business owner Maria Socorro Ong, PLDT’s wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc (Smart)’s resilient and reliable mobile network in Cebu enabled her to stay connected and her business to better cope after the onslaught of Super Typhoon Odette toward the end of 2021.

At the time, she had just finished switching to Smart at the Ayala Center Cebu Smart Store.  

“The only reason I hesitated to switch was I wanted to keep my number. I have been using it for quite a while. But I always hear positive stories from my husband and children who have been long-time subscribers of Smart and are able to enjoy its reliable network,” Ong said.  

Ong’s house and other properties also sustained damage caused by the super typhoon which prompted her to transfer to another area in the city.  

“I could really say that changing to Smart happened at a perfect timing. I was still able to transact and resume business after Odette because Smart’s signal is also strong in the area where we transferred. I am so glad I made the move,” said Ong, adding that she is thankful for the effort of PLDT and Smart’s network engineers to quickly restore the network in their area. 

“With the severity of the damage wrought by Odette, it was understandable that the signal would weaken at some point, but I was surprised it was restored quickly. Your network personnel are doing a really good job,” she added. 

In 2021, PLDT and Smart accelerated the deployment of their fixed and wireless networks across the country as part of the companies’ broader initiative to deliver world-class customer experience nationwide.  

Smart’s mobile network supports the growing data needs of its 3G, 4G/LTE and 5G subscribers from Batanes to Tawi-Tawi. This nationwide network rollout includes around 7,200 5G base stations. Supporting Smart’s mobile network is PLDT’s extensive fiber footprint, which was at 743,700 kilometers as of end-2021.   

Through Mobile Number Portability (MNP), subscribers may now move to Smart while keeping their long-time mobile numbers and keeping intact their contact list and other information stored in their SIM cards.  

To switch to Smart, users must first secure a Unique Subscriber Code from their originating provider to serve as clearance and by bringing it to the nearest Smart Store along with a valid ID and any proof of mobile ownership. From there, Smart will begin processing their application for free. Interested subscribers can also make the Smart move via the GigaLife App.  

To know more, visit x.smart/switch. 

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