lte-a

LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) is an enhanced mobile network technology that delivers faster data speeds than standard LTE. It works primarily through 'carrier aggregation,' a process that combines two or more radio frequency bands to create a bigger bandwidth. For example, Smart demonstrated this by combining five frequencies to achieve speeds over 1Gbps. This technology allows a single cell tower to support higher total bandwidth, which can help reduce network congestion.

To use LTE-A, a smartphone must support at least LTE Category 6 (Cat.6). As of 2016, many flagship and mid-range models available locally had this capability. A compiled list included 32 devices such as the Apple iPhone 6S/6S Plus, Samsung Galaxy S7/S7 Edge, LG G5, Huawei Nexus 6P, Xiaomi Mi 5, and more affordable options like the Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) and Huawei Honor 6. It's important to check your device's specifications for LTE Cat.6 or higher support.

Smart Communications was the first to roll out LTE-A service in the Philippines, beginning in Boracay in April 2016 with speeds up to 260Mbps. They planned expansions to Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, and Metro Davao, targeting 1,551 cities and municipalities by the end of 2018. Globe Telecom also worked on its LTE-A capabilities, firing up 130 cell sites using the 2600MHz spectrum in Visayas and Mindanao in mid-2016 and emphasizing carrier aggregation as a vital part of their rollout.