More than 1200 Smart HSPA+ sites now active

Leading wireless services provider Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) announced that it has fired up more than 1,200 HSPA+ base stations nationwide as part of its accelerated deployment of high speed mobile broadband services in the country.

High Speed Packet Access Plus (HSPA+) is a next-generation network technology that can deliver aggregate speeds of up to 42Mbps.

According to Smart Chief Wireless Advisor Orlando B. Vea, as of mid-October a total of 120 cities and municipalities nationwide now have HSPA+ coverage including 50 cities and municipalities in Metro Manila, Rizal, and Bulacan.

Key locations in Metro Cebu, Metro Davao, Bacolod, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, General Santos City, and Zamboanga City now also have HSPA+ coverage.

"We have stepped up our network transformation program. Last month, we had about 500 HSPA+ base stations. It has taken us just a month to more than double that count," Vea said. "Our subscribers are already reaping the benefits of the country's most extensive and robust mobile broadband network in the country.  They are enjoying a markedly better mobile Internet experience on the various devices such as the Smart Bro Rocket and the Netphone that we have introduced in the past few months," Vea said.

To fast track the deployment of HSPA+ base stations, Smart has tapped the services of three major international network suppliers.  Nokia Siemens Networks, Ericsson, and Huawei are simultaneously building and upgrading base station facilities in various locations across the country.

The coordinated effort allows Smart to introduce newer and faster mobile broadband services to the market more quickly compared to the competition.

"We're doing this so that we could put the enormous power of next-generation Internet connectivity in the hands of every Filipino. Expect improved service and even better products in the coming months," Vea added.

Smart's massive investment in network modernization has already raised network performance, resulting in a significantly improved customer experience.

In a nationwide speed test conducted by an independent engineering firm, it was found that Smart Bro Plug-Its beat the competition by as much as 2.29Mbps. The tests also showed that in the 100 test sites, Smart Bro is faster than the competition by an average of 0.74Mbps.

The base station upgrades are only one part of the P67-billion system-wide network transformation program being undertaken by Smart and parent company Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT).

The program also involves the upgrading and optimization of network elements such mobile switches, fiber optic backbone networks, and international cable networks, among others.

Smart has also introduced advanced HSPA+ devices that enable subscribers to take full advantage of the capabilities of its HSPA+ network.

Earlier this year it launched the Smart Bro Rocket Plug-It, a USB broadband stick with speeds of up to 12Mbps and more recently, the Smart Bro Rocket  WiFi Plus pocket router with speeds of up to 20Mbps.