The country's largest integrated telco PLDT and its wireless subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) are accelerating the rollout of their fixed and wireless networks to deliver better customer service, particularly for LTE and 5G.
 
In the third quarter of 2020, Smart rolled out an additional 279 5G base stations as it accelerates its 5G commercial services nationwide.
 
Smart, which first launched its 5G service commercially in July, also rolled out Smart 5G in key areas in Boracay, Cebu, Iloilo and Davao in September. These areas added to the live Smart 5G sites in Makati Central Business District (CBD), Bonifacio Global City CBD, Araneta City, Mall of Asia Bay Area, North Avenue in Quezon City, Taft Avenue in Manila, Ortigas CBD, New Clark City in Pampanga, EDSA, and in strategic locations in the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, and the cities of Manila, Quezon City, Makati, Taguig, Pasig, Mandaluyong, Marikina, Paranaque, Valenzuela, Caloocan, Navotas, San Juan, and Pasay.
 
Smart has also increased the number of its LTE and 3G base stations by 17% and 15%, respectively, as of end-September, compared to end-2019. Smart's mobile service is supported by PLDT's fiber infrastructure, the most extensive in the country at 395,000 kilometers, up by 22% from end-2019.
 
As of end-September 2020, 95% of the Philippine population is now covered by Smart’s 4G and 3G mobile data networks, while 46% of cities/municipalities have PLDT Home broadband presence, in both fiber and copper. Total homes passed increased by 14% to 8.3 million, while total capacity also increased by 9% to 3.8 million ports. PLDT has ongoing plans of adding 500,000 fiber ports, while Smart intends to add about 2,000 cell sites next year.
 
"The massive capex investments have fortified PLDT’s network superiority, reinforcing its position as the largest integrated telco in the Philippines," said Mario G. Tamayo, PLDT Senior Vice President for Network Planning and Engineering.

PLDT’s investments in capital expenditures have totaled Php 432 billion from 2011 to September 2020. PLDT’s expansion efforts and investments helped the Group cope with sustained growth in data traffic when COVID-19 community quarantines commenced in March. PLDT is anticipating capex of at least P70 billion for 2020.