PLDT wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) is boosting its network coverage at all Light Railway Transit 2 (LRT-2) stations to better serve its customers.

To enhance network experience at the LRT-2, whose 11 stations run from Manila to Pasig City, Smart has installed microsites that will provide additional LTE coverage and capacity and enable faster mobile data speeds for commuters who must still use the train to get around and go to work.

"This is part of our continued efforts to collaborate with the government in improving the mobile data experience of our customers wherever there’s a need, using the best technologies, despite the challenges posed by the pandemic," said Mario G. Tamayo, Head of Technology at PLDT and Smart.

"This complements the steady expansion and upgrade of our nationwide LTE network especially in the dense, urban areas, which has been enabling our customers to work and study from home, run their online businesses, follow news and other updates about the pandemic and the vaccine rollout, and stay in touch with loved ones as we keep ourselves socially distanced amid COVID-19," Tamayo added.

Enabling these services is PLDT's fiber infrastructure, which is at 429,000 kms as of end-2020 and is the most extensive in the country. Smart's mobile network, on the other hand, serves 96% of the population from Batanes to Tawi-Tawi, and has been recognized as the country's fastest mobile network by third party analytics firm Ookla since 2018.

These initiatives form a large part of PLDT's capital expenditures, which totaled P460.7 billion in the last ten years. To address the growing data needs of their fixed and wireless customers, PLDT and Smart are prepared to invest between P88 billion and P92 billion in capital expenditures in 2021.