As part of its nationwide network expansion program, PLDT wireless arm Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) has ramped-up the deployment of LTE in the Caraga region, which includes the provinces of Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, and Dinagat Islands.
To date, almost all of Smart’s sites in the five provinces are already on LTE. Smart has also expanded LTE capacity across Mindanao by 30%, from end-2019.
“This investment is a testament to our continuing commitment to provide the best customer experience to our subscribers across the country,” said Mario G. Tamayo, PLDT-Smart senior vice president for Network Planning and Engineering.
Among the recent activities enabled by Smart’s LTE network in the area was the Bonok-Bonok Maradjaw Karadjaw Festival, which was held online so that Surigaonons are still able to celebrate while keeping festival-goers safe amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“With our LTE network in place in these provinces, we are enabling them to study and work from the safety of their homes, stay in touch with their loved ones, and continue celebrating community events like the Bonok-Bonok Maradjaw Karadjaw Festival safely, especially amid COVID-19 and the new normal,” Tamayo added.
The ramped-up nationwide LTE rollout is part of PLDT and Smart’s sustained capital expenditures on their networks, with PLDT and Smart having already invested some Php260 billion from 2015 to 2019. For 2020, amid the regained momentum of the company’s network rollout efforts following the easing of lockdown restrictions, PLDT has leveled up its target capital expenditures back up to about Php70 billion.
To date, Smart’s high-speed broadband service is available in 93% of the country’s cities and municipalities and serves 95% of the population.
Online festivities
This year, the city government of Surigao through the City Tourism Office ensured that the festivities, which included vibrant street dancing and other activities, continued online so that locals and Surigaonons abroad would be able to participate in the annual festival held in honor of the city’s patron saint, Señor San Nicolas de Tolentino.
Official telco partner Smart, led by its TNT brand, provided prizes for various online activities, including the Sadjaw Bonok-Bonok dance competition; Rayna Nan Bonok-Bonok, a festival queen contest; a tourism vlog competition, and the Tukar Bonok-Bonok Video Showdown, a music video competition.
With LTE in place, Surigaonons were able to enjoy the virtual festivities via Facebook Live through the Surigao TV page. Residents and guests were also offered a special GIGA Stories discounts through F&H Marketing, Smart’s regional distributor.
