Smart begins beta testing of LTE-powered mobile Internet

Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) is making available its Long Term Evolution (LTE) mobile broadband service for public beta testing in 30 Metro Manila sites until February 13, 2012. Smart is among the first to have introduced LTE and HSPA+ in Asia. Its LTE network is capable of speeds of up to 76Mbps. As the only network of its kind in the Philippines, Smart LTE is many times faster than the average wireless and wired connections being offered today. Its low latency also makes it ideal for viewing streaming videos and engaging in other media-rich online activities such as gaming and accessing web-based applications and programs. LTE is widely recognized by telcos all over the world as the next big change in mobile Internet. With the potential to change the surfing habits of individuals and the way business is conducted online, LTE has already been deployed in other parts of the world such as Japan (NTT DoCoMo), USA (Verizon), Europe (TeliaSonera), and Australia (Telstra). Smart’s beta test represents a significant step towards LTE’s commercial availability, stressed Smart Broadband Internet and Data Services Head Gio Bacareza. “We have never stopped working on our LTE network,” Bacareza said. “We launched it in Boracay last April, we made the first Metro Manila demo in June, and today, potential customers are going to test it.” Smart has also provided LTE connectivity in the recently concluded Philippine Ad Congress in Camarines Sur. By signing up at www.smart.com.ph/bro/lte/sign-up anyone may be selected to be the first to experience next-generation broadband speeds of up to 42Mbps on their own laptop or desktop computers. Those who will qualify will be issued special LTE/HSPA-capable USB dongles which they could use for free in several key areas in both North and South Metro Manila until February 13, 2012. A total of thirty LTE sites have been fired up across the city for the beta test. Beta testers are encouraged to report their experiences and findings to Smart in an effort to evaluate the experience and identify potential improvements. For this, Smart has set up several touch points for beta testers. Participants will be contacted via email for instructions. “Smart has always been prepared to take on the latest technologies,” Bacareza remarked. “We were the first to come out with 3G, we are the first to deploy HSPA+, we are the first to introduce LTE and we will continue to be the first in many more endeavors in the years to come.”