Amid its continued network roll-out, PLDT wireless subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc. maintained its lead in LTE speeds nationwide, according to the latest report by wireless coverage research firm OpenSignal.
OpenSignal also cited a “big increase” in the availability of Smart LTE compared to six months ago, improving by 12 percentage points to 52.71%.
“Smart held onto OpenSignal’s 4G speed award with an average download of 10.6 Mbps, increasing slightly over the last six months,” OpenSignal said in its report released yesterday. “By virtue of the big increase in its availability score, Smart was able to deliver its faster LTE connections to customers more often,” it added.
“PLDT and Smart continue to lead the way to improving internet and digital services for Filipinos all over the country by improving our networks and making the best video, social media and gaming experience more accessible to our customers,” said Eric R. Alberto, PLDT Group Chief Revenue Officer.
JP Morgan: Smart maintained its lead in LTE download speeds nationwide at 11 Mbps
A previously released J.P.Morgan Asia Network Quality study, which also used data from OpenSignal, also cited Smart’s “significant lead in LTE speeds” across all areas.
According to the J.P.Morgan study, which covered the months April to June, Smart maintained its lead in LTE download speeds nationwide at 11 Mbps, while it also led across areas: In Metro Manila (12.9 Mbps average download speed vs competition’s 7.6 Mbps), in South Luzon (9.5 Mbps vs 6.2 Mbps), and in the Visayas (8.3 Mbps vs 6.3 Mbps).
Moreover, these figures were also bolstered by results of internal tests conducted recently, which showed the average download speed on Smart’s LTE service at 21.5 Mbps in North NCR areas, and at 14.4 Mbps in South NCR areas. Smart LTE media speeds were at 17.6 Mbps in Metro Cebu.
Telco-Grade WiFi in Public Places
Alongside its LTE expansion program, Smart is also rolling out carrier-grade Smart Wifi in high-traffic public places all over the country, such as transportation hubs like MRT-3 and LRT-1 stations, major airports, bus terminals and seaports across the country, as well as in schools, government buildings, hospitals, malls and entertainment centers.
