Eyeing the latest Samsung and Apple handsets?
Good news for Smart customers: the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X, as well as the Samsung Galaxy Note 8, Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+, work best with Smart’s improved LTE network.
A review of their published specifications show that Apple and Samsung’s latest flagship handsets will work on Smart’s LTE frequencies, allowing users of these devices to take full advantage of the LTE network that Smart is currently rolling out.
Frequencies supported by these handsets include those that Smart is deploying as part of its network modernization program.
Smart is currently re-equipping its cell sites to use low-frequency bands such as 700 MHz and 850 MHz to provide better indoor coverage. It is also deploying high-frequency bands like 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz to increase the cell sites’ capacity to handle more calls, texts, and ever-increasing mobile data traffic.
“Through the roll-out of our LTE network, PLDT and Smart are leading the way to improving internet and digital services in the country,” said Eric R. Alberto, PLDT Group Chief Revenue Officer.
“To have the best experience, customers must not only have the right network, 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," he added.
Smart currently offers the Galaxy Note8 starting at P2,499 per month for 30 months with a one-time cash-out of P1,000. This plan comes with monthly inclusions of 10GB data, unlimited texts to all networks, 50 minutes of calls to all networks, and access to top chat apps including Messenger, Viber, and Whatsapp.
Smart Postpaid is also offering the iPhone 6 (32GB) for P999 per month for 30 months with a one-time cash-out of P1,000. This plan includes 3GB monthly data allowance, unlimited texts to all networks, and access to chat apps Messenger, Viber and Whatsapp. Smart also carries iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus for its prepaid and postpaid customers.
Users of these devices can enjoy bandwidth-heavy activities such as video streaming and online gaming on-the-go using Smart’s LTE network, which has recently been cited by wireless coverage research firm OpenSignal as the leader in speeds.
“Smart held onto OpenSignal’s 4G speed award with an average download of 10.6 Mbps, increasing slightly over the last six months," OpenSignal said in its report. “By virtue of the big increase in its availability score, Smart was able to deliver its faster LTE connections to customers more often,” it added.
These figures were also bolstered by results of internal tests conducted recently, which showed the average download speed on Smart’s LTE service at 21.5 Mbps in North NCR areas, and at 14.4 Mbps in South NCR areas. Smart LTE media speeds were at 17.6 Mbps in Metro Cebu.
Smart has committed to roll out LTE to 95% of the country’s cities and municipalities and serving 97% of the population by end-2018.
LTE, an all-IP network, delivers superior experience for users, particularly for data. It can also be quickly upgraded to LTE-A, which can provide even faster speeds and greater capacity to subscribers who are using LTE SIMs on LTE-capable handsets.
This comprehensive network modernization and expansion program is at the core of the PLDT group's digital pivot. Smart’s network rollout took a big bulk of PLDT’s ramped-up capital expenditure program of P42.8 billion for 2016, which included the utilization of the new frequencies freed up with the acquisition of San Miguel Corporation’s telco assets.
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