Melo Villareal
Are you planning to purchase the latest handsets from Apple and Samsung? Good news for Smart customers: the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X, together with Samsung Galaxy Note 8, Galaxy S8, and S8+ work best using Smart’s improved LTE network.
The latest flagship handsets of two of the biggest smartphone manufacturers in the world, Apple, and Samsung, will work with Smart’s LTE frequencies which will allow users of these devices take full advantage of the LTE network that Smart is currently rolling out.
Frequencies supported by any of these handsets include those that Smart is deploying as a part of their network modernization program.
The network company is currently re-equipping its cell sites to use low-frequency bands such as 700 MHz and 850 MHz to provide better indoor coverage for its users. Smart is also deploying high-frequency bands such as 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz to increase the capacity of cell sites in handling more texts, calls, and ever-increasing mobile data traffic.
PLDT Group’s Chief Revenue Officer, Eric R. Alberto, said, “Through the roll-out of our LTE network, PLDT and Smart are leading the way to improve internet and digital services in the country.”
He also added, “To have the best experience, customers must not only have the right network, but they must also have the right SIMs and the right devices. We are also partnering with top device makers to push more LTE handsets into the market and make the best video, social media and gaming experience more accessible to our customers.”
iPhone and Note 8 Offers
Smart Postpaid is currently offering the Galaxy Note 8 starting at Plan 2,499 a month with 30 months lock-in period and a one-time cash-out of P1,000. This plan comes with unlimited texts to all networks, 50 minutes worth of calls to all networks, 10GB data allowance monthly, and access to top messenger apps such as Facebook Messenger, Viber, and Whatsapp.
Smart is also offering postpaid plans for the iPhone 6 (32GB) for only P999 per month with 30 months lock-in period and a one-time cash-out of P1,000. This plan also comes with unlimited texts to all networks, 3GB monthly data allowance, and access to chat apps such as Facebook Messenger, Viber, and WhatsApp. Smart Postpaid is also offering iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus plans both for prepaid and postpaid customers.
Leading Provider in LTE Speeds
Users of these latest smartphone handsets can enjoy bandwidth-heavy activities like video streaming and online gaming using smart’s LTE network. The wireless coverage research firm OpenSignal cited Smart’s LTE network as the leader in speeds compared with all the providers in the country.
OpenSignal stated in their report that Smart held onto OpenSignal’s 4G speed award with an average download of 10.6 Mbps, increasing slightly over the last six months. They also said that “By virtue of the big increase in its availability score, Smart was able to deliver its faster LTE connections to customers more often.”
These figures were also supported by the results of the internal tests conducted recently. It shows that the average download speed of Smart’s LTE service is at 21.5 Mbps in North NCR areas and 14.4 Mbps in the areas in South NCR. Smart’s LTE services in Metro Cebu also averaged at 17.6 Mbps.
Smart is committed to roll out their LTE service to 95% of the Philippines’ cities and municipalities and serve 97% of the country’s population before the year 2018 ends.
LTE, which is an all-IP network, delivers the superior experience for users, particularly for those who are always on the go. Its speed can also be upgraded to LTE-A which provides faster speeds and greater capacity to subscribers who are using LTE SIMs on LTE capable handsets.
Improving their LTE service and building a more comprehensive network modernization and expansion programs are PLDT group’s digital pivot core. The rollout of Smart’s network took a big bulk at PLDT’s ramped-up capital expenditure program amounting to P42.8 billion last 2016. This budget includes the utilization of the new frequencies freed up after the acquisition of San Miguel Corporation’s telco assets.
Also Read:
- The #SmartiPhone6 is now available for only P999/month under Smart Postpaid
- #SMARTiPhone8: Eight Things I Love About the new iPhone 8 Plus
