PLDT wireless arm Smart Communication, Inc. (Smart) pioneered the first successful 5G video call in the country and it was made possible through an innovative collaboration with Huawei Technologies Philippines.
Enabling technology
Smart’s continuous partnership with Huawei has helped boost technology in the Philippines. With continued effort to shape the strategic and commercial development of the 5G ecosystem since 2016, the country’s first live 5G to 5G video call became successful.
The 5G-enabled video call was made using 5G Radio and Core equipment of Smart’s technology partners Huawei in Makati and Ericsson in Pampanga, showcasing 5G interoperability in a multi-vendor environment at this early stage.
“5G is real and it is now here in Makati and Clark,” PLDT-Smart chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan said during ceremonies held at the PLDT headquarters as part of PLDT’s 90th anniversary celebrations.
“We are working very hard with our technology partners Huawei and Ericsson, as well as government and industrial partners like BCDA and Clark Development Corp. in piloting 5G use cases and establishing even more Smart 5G Cities across the country soon,” he added.
Initial tests have also shown that speed of up to 700mbps was achieved using Huawei’s 5G equipment in Makati.
According to Arthur Wang, Director of Huawei Philippines’ PLDT group account, they are pleased to partner with PLDT and Smart in helping bring 5G to PLDT-Smart and hoping to continue developing more innovations to deliver digital services to PLDT and Smart customers.
Continuing advancement
PLDT-Smart Chief Technology and Information Advisor Joachim Horn from the PLDT Makati City headquarters said that 5G opens many possible applications for the ‘Internet of Things’, smart cities and for wide range of customers, enterprises, consumers because of its capability to deliver extremely high speeds with low latency.
For this reason, Smart paves the way for piloting 5G solutions and plans to fire up additional 5G cell sites across Makati Central Business District.
“We are transforming PLDT and Smart into the country’s leading and most trusted enabler of technology, and we are keen to explore with our partners the vast potential of 5G as a platform for exciting new innovations,” said Ernesto R. Alberto, PLDT-Smart chief revenue officer.
“By bringing 5G to Makati, we are putting the possibilities of 5G closer to the Philippines’ premier commercial hub, which is home to the country’s most ultra-connected businesses, enterprises and workforce,” said Juan Victor Hernandez, Senior Vice President and Head of Enterprise for PLDT and Smart.
According to PLDT, the first 5G pilot network will be deployed in Luzon by the first half of 2019 using Ericsson’s technology.
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