PLDT Inc.’s (PLDT) wireless subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) has deployed AI-powered ‘green radio’ network solutions that not only reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions but also reduce the costs of consumption to all its wireless radio sites. The AI-powered technology automatically and remotely detects and adjusts the capacity and power usage of its radio resources and implements these changes to conserve energy and minimize network instability according to Radames Zalamde, Head of Network Quality.

Smart reduced power consumption by around 10,900MWH over the last twelve months since its implementation, the equivalent to greenhouse gas emissions from more than 1,690 gasoline-powered vehicles driven for a year, or carbon dioxide emissions from electricity consumption of 920 homes for a year. PLDT and Smart Network Head Butch Jimenez has said that this innovation has bolstered their commitment to maintaining quality service and sustainable practices. Chief Sustainability Officer, Melissa Vergel de Dios, further added that this is the demonstration of their innovation to sustainability goals for future generations.

To support the PLDT Group’s decarbonization roadmap that aims to reduce Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030, Smart’s mother firm, PLDT, recently secured a ₱1.0bn Green Loan facility from HSBC Philippines to partially fund the ongoing nationwide modernization and expansion of its fiber network supporting internet delivery platforms. The group is also actively exploring the integration of renewables, green technologies, and various energy optimization initiatives. Smart has now served 97% of the Philippines’ mobile network populace since 2023. In support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG), Smart continues to follow its commitments, particularly SDG No. 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.

*Figures were calculated using the Philippines’ Department of Energy’s Emission Factor and the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator.

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