Smart, Ericsson to deploy 5G network in the Philippines
Smart Communications Inc (Smart), the wireless subsidiary of PLDT, and Ericsson have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deploy the first 5G pilot network in the Philippines by the first half of 2019. Under the MoU, the 5G network will be first deployed in Luzon, the country’s largest and most populous island where about a third of the population work and live. Martin Wiktorin, Head of Ericsson Singapore, Brunei, Philippines and Pacific Islands, believes first movers in 5G can reshape the market, grow market share, and increase revenue streams. Smart has been testing 5G since 2016, when it achieved with its technology partner Nokia 5G speeds of 2.5 Gigabits per seconds using 100 MHz with latency of just 1 millisecond over a “live” network – the first in the Philippines.
