Latest News & Articles
Smart Communications
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Smart launches new site in San Vicente to support govt SIM programme
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Philippine telcos deploy Starlink in Mindanao after deadly 7.8 quake
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PLDT’s Smart to bundle Rokid AI glasses with postpaid plans
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Smart, Ericsson and Meta tweak network to improve Messenger call quality
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Smart pushes auto-debit payments to streamline postpaid billing
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PLDT doubles down on renewable energy push as oil prices soar
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PLDT’s Smart conducts more Lynk D2D tests in Ilocos Norte
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PLDT and Lin Man to deploy smart meters across Philippines
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PLDT’s Smart tests Lynk’s D2D satellite service in Catanduanes
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New 450MHz network to boost industrial connectivity in Saudi Arabia
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RANext Technologies to evaluate connectivity infrastructure of Indian properties
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PLDT reports sharp drop in cable theft across Philippines
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Could robotic arms improve remote coverage in the Philippines?
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PLDT taps Nabstract to quit OTPs with network API platform
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PLDT’s Smart partners with Lynk Global for D2D messaging
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PLDT’s Smart launches ViLTE-powered video calls
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PLDT expands grassroots anti-theft programme outside of Manila
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Smart launches 5G SA in Iloilo City to kick off nationwide upgrade
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PLDT's Smart releases eSIM adapter card for Android phones
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PLDT and Smart test FWA solutions from Radisys
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PLDT’s Smart tests optical transport network disaggregation tech
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Smart teams with Salesforce to unify its e-commerce storefront
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Smart moves to AWS cloud to get its data platform AI-ready
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Open RAN lab backed by USAID soft-launched in the Philippines
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PLDT/Smart gets ready to relaunch Smart Money app
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PLDT promises “always on” fibre access with FWA LTE backup
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PLDT, CICC launch public-private alliance to protect telco infrastructure
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PLDT/Smart and First Gen shift Mindanao sites to renewable energy
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PLDT’s Smart banks on affordable devices to drive 5G growth
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Telecom players urge Philippines govt to do more on rollout permits
![Telecoms players in the Philippines say that the government’s recent moves to streamline the permit process for faster network equipment rollouts are helping, but that stakeholders need to do more to make the process smoother. Last year, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr issued Executive Order No. 32, which – along with its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) – streamlined the permit process for the construction, installation, repair, operation and maintenance of telecoms and Internet infrastructure in the Philippines. The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) said during its fourth telco workshop last week that EO 32 and the IRR have had a positive impact on network rollouts, citing a 48% rise in approved telco-related permits between May 2022 and May 2024. Attorney Pamela B. Felizarta, head of joint strategic operations at PLDT’s wireless arm Smart Communications, acknowledged that the guidelines, rules and regulations now in place have paved the way for faster rollouts of telecom infrastructure. However, she said that telcos still face formidable permit-related challenges, including securing Mayor's and Business Permits, unreasonable fees, and difficulties in obtaining consent from homeowners' associations, among others. Ricky James Steyn, COO and interim president and CEO at tower company Miescor Infrastructure Development Corporation (MIDC), agreed that uncooperative homeowner associations often hinder site development and connectivity improvements. He also emphasized the importance of standardizing Lease and Right of Way Agreements with landowners to prevent excessive fees and construction delays. Felizarta urged industry stakeholders, including government agencies, local government units, tower companies and other telco operators, to intensify collaboration in order to address these challenges. "We continue to collaborate with local government units toward a full appreciation of EO 32, and we look forward to the enactment of local ordinances that adopt in full the IRR's provisions," she added. "Together with ARTA and our partners in the public and private sectors, we trust that we will continue to work closely together, since there is still so much work to be done." "ARTA in collaboration with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) will draft a template ordinance for LGUs [local government units] to adopt in order to expedite the approval process," said ARTA Secretary Ernesto V. Perez.](/images/stories/NewsPix/PLDT_Smart_Pamela_Felizarta_ARTA_workshop_600.jpeg)
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PLDT and Smart hop on GSMA Open Gateway bandwagon
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PLDT/Smart says energization fast-track will speed up rural rollouts
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Smart warns of rise in SMShing to hijack social media profiles
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PLDT-Smart launches centre to build up workforce cloud skills
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Smart’s new eSIM push lets Philippines prepaid users keep number
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Smart deploys AI in base stations to lower energy usage
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PLDT to switch 33 Metro Manila facilities to renewable energy
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Smart gives 5G prepaid users unlimited data on 4G
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Smart moves closer to adopting transport network disaggregation
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PLDT, Smart and MEDA to help cacao farmers go digital
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Smart puts RIC through its paces in Open RAN POC with DoCoMo
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Smart taps Google for data insight
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PLDT/Smart renews call for tighter HOA ties to streamline rollouts
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PLDT/Smart expand emergency Ligtas Kits across the Philippines
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PLDT selects Amdocs for cloud migration and modernisation
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Philippines closes SIM registration at 113m
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Philippines hit over 100m SIM card registrations
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Philippines extends SIM registration deadline
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Philippines regulator mulls SIM deadline extension
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Philippines refuses SIM registration deadline extension
