PLDT and Smart plan to ready its system to support the next generation mobile network — 5G.
In a press release, PLDT and Smart affirmed their partnership with Huawei Technologies Philippines to jointly conduct research and development on 5G or fifth-generation wireless broadband technology.
In line with the partnership, the telco with work with Huawei to lead the commercial development of the 5G network in the country. They’ll be identifying the areas of technological innovation needed to deliver 5G. Plans also include setting up a 5G innovation lab and the creation of a showcase network.
“Smart is focused on LTE, as it provides us the best platform to bring high-speed mobile internet throughout the country. LTE facilities, with strengthened transport links, can be quickly upgraded to LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), and will be an integral part of our future 5G network,” — Joachim Horn, chief technology and information advisor for PLDT and Smart.
Just recently, 3GPP made a formal 5G branding and with the Phase 1 specifications release sometime in late 2018. Here in the country, Smart expects the technology to arrive in 2020.
Backward compatibility with present hardware should be assured and efforts to improve coverage should still be continued as new standards/infrastructure are implemented