Smart 5G coverage will go live on July 30, 5G-certified devices now available!

Local telco giant Smart Communications, Inc. announced today that the 5G mobile service of the company is going live as a commercial service starting July 30, 2020.

File photo: Smart 5G speed test on the Huawei Mate 30 Pro 5G

Smart 5G goes live!

The initial commercial deployment of the company will allow Smart Signature, Infinity, and other Smart postpaid subscribers to enjoy the benefits of Smart 5G in key business districts of Metro Manila via Smart-certified 5G-activated SIMs.

Smart revealed that 5G will be initially available in the following areas: Makati Central Business District (CBD), Bonifacio Global City CBD, Araneta City, SM Megamall, and Mall of Asia Bay Area

At the moment, Smart 5G is also being rolled out in key high-traffic areas such as North Avenue Quezon City, Taft Avenue Manila, Ortigas CBD, and Clark Green City Pampanga.  

Smart also said that the company will launch its initial lineup of 5G-certified devices from Huawei, Samsung, realme, and vivo.

Those devices will be available in select Smart Stores via Smart Signature plans.

After many years of preparation and sustained investments, we’re very happy to say that Smart subscribers can now try out and enjoy the super-fast data service that Smart 5G can deliver, said Alfredo S. Panlilio, PLDT Chief Revenue Officer and Smart President and CEO.

The launch of Smart’s 5G service enables the Philippines to level up and join the ranks of countries utilizing the next generation of mobile technology. For our customers, it opens the door to an even higher level of customer experience in terms of enjoying video, playing esports, and using more powerful digital services, Panlilio said.

As we roll out 5G in more areas of the country, this will complement the deployment of our 4G/LTE network which is already the fastest and most extensive in the country. To date, Smart 4G/LTE and 3G coverage serve 95% of the country’s population, he added.

Note: Starting tomorrow, if you are a smart customer with a smart-certified 5G phone and within a Smart 5G covered area, you can already enjoy 5G. Data consumption will be charged against your current plan (which will then be provisioned for 5G).

Smart 5G-certified devices

Smart announced that the first five 5G-certified devices are now available with the Smart Signature Device Plans S, M, L, and XL.

Customers may sign up for a Smart Signature Plan at Smart Stores nationwide or via Smart Online Store.

The stores where users can try Smart 5G are located at Smart Tower in Makati City, Gateway Mall, SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, and The World Plaza in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

Taken during the Clark Freeport Zone Smart 5G City launch in 2018

According to Smart, 5G has been embedded in the company's network planning over the past 5 years. Smart started conducting tests in 2016, fired up the first 5G base station with Huawei in Makati and Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga with Ericsson in 2018, and launched the first Smart 5G Lifestyle hub and 5G-enabled shopping mall in Araneta City as well as the first Smart 5G campus at the Ateneo de Manila University in 2019.

To execute the 5G deployment plan, the company has heavily invested PHP 260 billion in overall capital expenditure (capex) over the past 5 years. In 2019 alone, the company reached a record of PHP 72.9 billion capex.

In 2020, the capex is expected to reach PHP 70 billion despite the slowdown in network rollout due to the COVID-19 quarantine situation.

5G is expected to be a game-changer in overall speed and network reliability.

What do you guys think? Are you excited to try Smart 5G?