Smart upgrading cellular coverage in LRT-1

http://www.philstar.com/business/2017/02/06/1669380/smart-upgrading-cellular-coverage-lrt-1 MANILA, Philippines –  The wireless subsidiary of PLDT Inc. is upgrading its cellular network coverage in the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1 to provide a better mobile experience to commuters. Under the program, Smart Communications Inc. would beef up its 2G, 3G and 4G or Long Term Evolution (LTE) network coverage in the LRT-1 running from Roosevelt station in Quezon City until Baclaran station in Pasay City. To improve network coverage, Smart is deploying state-of-the-art equipment at the stations and platforms, inside the coaches, and along the tracks. Smart is also installing carrier-grade WiFi in the 20 stations and platforms, and eventually inside the coaches. After the LRT-1, Smart would implement similar works for the LRT-2 running from Recto station in Manila until Santolan in Pasig, and the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 spanning North Ave. station in Quezon City up to Taft station in Pasay City. “The LRT-1 upgrade is part of Smart’s extensive network modernization program to provide consistent and reliable voice, SMS, and mobile data, particularly LTE services to our subscribers,” Joachim Horn, chief technology and integration advisor at PLDT and Smart said. Apart from delivering improved mobile services to LRT-1 riders, Smart is also enhancing coverage inside the LRT-1 depot in Pasay City to better serve subscribers working for the Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC), the operator of the train line. LTE speeds have since gone up to 25 mbps outside the depot, and 12 mbps inside. Smart’s network upgrade in LRT-1 is being undertaken as LRMC, which is partly owned by Metro Pacific Investments Corp., an affiliate of Smart, is working on the rehabilitation of the train system. The rehabilitation includes the modernization of the 20 stations, as well as the extension of the existing line from the current endpoint in Baclaran to Bacoor in Cavite. LRMC is set to inaugurate the modernized Doroteo Jose station of the LRT-1 today. The PLDT Group is undertaking a massive network modernization across its wired and wireless businesses to allow subscribers to experience improved services particularly for mobile data. Under the three-year network rollout plan submitted by PLDT to the National Telecommunications Commission in July last year, Smart is aiming to make LTE available to users in 1,551 cities and municipalities across the country by the end of next year to address growing data usage.