Network synergies involve the co-use of infrastructure between the two operators. The practice results in marked improvement in network coverage, as each operator gets to use cell sites of the other operator and vice versa. This optimizes the resources of participating networks, and reduces the need to build new infrastructure.
Smart’s network synergy project with Sun Cellular started in April, covering 25 provinces in Mindanao, including Tawi-Tawi and Sulu.
With the completion of the project, both Smart and Sun Cellular have leveraged on the use of close to 1,300 sites in the country’s second largest island.
Sun Cellular subscribers stand to benefit from the project as the network increased its 2G (second generation) coverage by 152 percent, and its 3G coverage by 64 percent in Mindanao.
For its part, Smart expanded its existing capacity, gaining 35 percent in its 2G coverage and a 57 percent jump in 3G coverage in the area.
The network synergy project was the next step for both mobile services providers when Smart parent company Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) acquired a majority stake in Digitel Telecommunications Philippines Inc (Digitel), parent company of Sun Cellular, in October 2011.
Through the combined and on-time modernization strategy, the PLDT wireless group continues to have the most extensive and robust network all over the Philippines with the most number of cell sites, cellular/mobile broadband base stations and fixed wireless broadband-enabled base stations.
“This supercharged network is what allows us to effectively serve the combined Smart, Talk ‘N Text, and Sun Cellular subscriber base, despite its sheer size, and offer services that are extremely high in value but very easy on the pockets,” said Orlando B. Vea, co-founder and chief wireless advisor of Smart, as well as president of DMPI.
“While still separate companies, more and more we are leveraging on the combined strengths of Smart and DMPI, and translating them into a tri-net strategy that benefits our subscribers with the most relevant, most reliable mobile services,” he added.
