Made from Makati to Clark
PLDT’s wireless arm Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) is ramping up its testing and deployment of its new 5G network and has successfully completed the nation’s first video call on a 5G connection.
The call was made from the PLDT headquarters in the Makati City central business district to Clark Development Corp. The call, made by PLDT-Smart chief technology and information advisor Joachim Horn to Clark Development Corp. President and CEO Noel Manankil, used both Huawei and Ericsson equipment, which showcased the interoperability of 5G multi-vendor hardware, crucial at 5G’s early stage of deployment.
“5G is real and it is now here in Makati and Clark,” PLDT-Smart chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan said during ceremonies held at the PLDT headquarters as part of PLDT’s 90th anniversary celebrations.
“We are working very hard with our technology partners Huawei and Ericsson, as well as government and industrial partners like Bases Conversion and Development Authority and CDC in piloting 5G use cases and establishing even more Smart 5G Cities across the country soon,” Pangilinan added.
“We are transforming PLDT and Smart into the country’s leading and most trusted enabler of technology, and we are keen to explore with our partners the vast potential of 5G as a platform for exciting new innovations,” said Ernesto R. Alberto, PLDT-Smart chief revenue officer.
Smart has said that they are also firing up additional 5G cell siteswithin the Makati Business District for the technology’s eventual roll-out.
