Mapua University students majoring in Electronics and Communications Engineering (ECE) dove deeper into fiber optic networks at the PLDT and Smart Technolab as they prepare for their capstone projects.

“We hope that the insights shared will excite our future engineers about the future of fiber,” said Alvin Ilano, VP and Head of Network Facilities and Field Operations at Smart and PLDT, and a proud Mapúa alumnus. “We also enjoyed sharing our experience in building PLDT’s fiber infrastructure and Smart’s nationwide network.”

The ECE students are working on transport network technologies for their final course requirement. To help deepen the students' knowledge, PLDT and Smart transport experts spoke about fiber optic and DWDM (Dense Wavelength-Division Multiplexing) networks. PLDT's fiber infrastructure—the most extensive in the country—supports Smart's mobile network.

The experience provided a fresh perspective for the future engineers, who saw firsthand how actual fiber cables are handled, installed, maintained, and used to connect customers.

“It was my first time to pull apart a cross-section of a fiber optic cable,” said Ian Oliver F. Pagne, an incoming fourth year ECE major. “Learning about how the system works from actual engineers made me feel like I’m a step closer to being a professional myself.”

The Mapua students also tried their hands at upcoming digital innovations such as Open Radio Access Networks (Open RAN), Network Disaggregation, Cloudification, Automation, Extended Reality, and Internet of Things applications. The PLDT and Smart Technolab serves as an innovation hub where the Group tests game-changing communication solutions that are not yet available commercially.

As part of the Group’s push for a cybersafe Philippines, the students also learned practical #BeCyberSmart tips on how to avoid falling for phishing scams. Backstopping PLDT and Smart’s robust physical infrastructure is a strong cybersecurity culture. In the first half of the year, the Group has prevented more than 1.4 billion phishing text messages from reaching customers. It has also blocked more than 330,000 mobile numbers engaged in illegal activities from its network in the same period.

Mapua has been a partner of the Smart Wireless Engineering Education Program (SWEEP) since 2009. Mapua’s Team YOLO was one of the finalists in the inaugural run of PLDT and Smart’s Innovation Generation in 2020.

The PLDT Group's continued investment in enhancing its integrated fixed and wireless network, including its robust 5G infrastructure, is aligned with the Group’s commitment to deliver leveled-up customer experience across the country. Its efforts to provide connectivity to all, level up services, and protect customers from cyber criminals highlight its commitment to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) particularly SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.