WIRELESS services provider Smart Communications has completed the rollout of its LTE (fourth generation or 4G) network in Metro Cebu, allowing Smart and Sun subscribers to enjoy greater mobile data transfer speeds.
After Metro Cebu, Smart will expand LTE coverage to the rest of Cebu province, including component cities and tourist areas like Daanbantayan, Moalboal, and Oslob.
Smart and Sun launched the LTE and enhanced 3G network in Metro Cebu Thursday, August 31. LTE coverage in Metro Cebu is from Liloan town in the north and Talisay City in the south.
Ramon Isberto, public affairs head of Smart and parent firm Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT) Co., Inc., said an LTE network means average internet speeds of 15 to 20 Megabits per second (Mbps).
"I did a speedtest here. I was getting 50 Mbps download (speed) and 30 Mbps upload (speed)," Isberto said during the launching.
Having an LTE network allows Smart to raise speeds through LTE Advanced, Isberto said. At the venue of the launch, he said connection speed indicators should show 4G+ or LTE Advanced.
Smart and Sun subscribers, both prepaid and postpaid, may swap their subscriber identity module (SIM) cards for LTE-capable SIM cards for free starting October.
With an improved network and availability of LTE-ready SIM cards, the challenge now is to make sure that devices are LTE-capable and use the 700-megahertz frequency to be able to fully experience the improved network, Isberto said.
"The network that we are rolling out uses the 700-MHz frequency so make sure that your phone, or the next time you buy a phone, it uses this frequency," he said. This frequency provides better indoor quality and wider outdoor range.
Examples of LTE-ready phones running on 700-MHz frequency are the Samsung Galaxy J5 and J7. The latter is also LTE Advanced-capable. (MVI/SunStar Philippines)