THE PHILIPPINES, FEBRUARY 6, 2012: Despite its recent increase in capacity, local telecommunications provider Smart Communications aims to be the greenest network with its latest technology.
Smart’s recent modernization program provided up to 200% additional capacity of its users. However, despite its increase, energy cost has decreased by an average of 20.54 % for the second half of 2011. Subscribers are expected to experience the benefits of additional capacity in the enhanced quality of our voice, SMS and broadband services, especially once we complete the testing and optimization of our modernized sites.
“We are elated by the decrease in energy consumption since this translates not only to savings, but also to a reduction of Smart’s carbon footprint. Imagine the cumulative effect once we complete the conversion of thousands of our sites nationwide to the multi-technology Single Radio Access Network (RAN) system under our modernization program,” says Smart chief wireless advisor Orlando Vea.
With multi-technology Single RAN, a base station can simultaneously handle different technologies, from 2G, 3G, HSPA to LTE (Long Term Evolution), allowing an operator such as Smart to quickly shift to new technologies through advanced Software Defined Radio (SDR) capability depending on market needs in a cost-efficient manner.
The equipment upgrade is part of the P67-billion network transformation program that Smart and its parent company the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) began early last year.
The work is being undertaken in phases by Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) in Metro Manila and Bulacan; Ericsson in north and south Luzon; and Huawei in Visayas, Mindanao, Palawan and Bicol. Smart has already completed phase 1 of its two-year modernization program. Completion of the entire program is scheduled by mid-2012.
