Since its introduction in September 2005, SMART’s fixed wireless broadband service has provided a welcome boost to Internet usage in the Philippines where Internet penetration at that time was only 5.3%. Dubbed Smart Bro, the offering is in line with the PLDT group’s thrust in providing its customers with the widest range of broadband connectivity solutions.
Smart Bro runs on the network of Smart subsidiary Smart Broadband Inc. (SBI) which rides on the nationwide presence of SMART’s network to wirelessly deliver broadband Internet service to a subscriber’s personal computer, eliminating the need for a physical cable or phone line.
The “wireless” connection is established from a wireless broadband radio base station at the nearest SMART cellsite to the subscriber’s home via a Smart Bro antenna. Cables connect the antenna to the subscriber’s PC.
To enjoy the strongest possible high speed Internet connection, the subscriber’s antenna must have a clear “line-of-sight” alignment and be within a 1.5 km. radius from a SMART cellsite.
SMART has been able to rapidly roll-out the service even in far-flung areas because it integrated many portions of the wireless broadband network with its existing GSM cellular network infrastructure. As of end-March 2007, Smart has over 2,600 base stations equipped with wireless broadband capability.
