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Tag: PLDT Smart

  • Smart drives increase in 5G data traffic powered by the PH’s best 5G coverage experience

    Smart drives increase in 5G data traffic powered by the PH’s best 5G coverage experience

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    As 5G is fast becoming the connectivity of choice among mobile subscribers in the country, leading integrated telco network PLDT Inc (PLDT)’s wireless subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc (Smart) saw a sustained increase in average monthly 5G data traffic in 2023, bolstered by its award-winning 5G mobile network.

    In 2023, average quarterly 5G data traffic almost doubled, up 95% compared to the previous year. In the fourth quarter of 2023 alone, Smart posted a 16-percent increase in average monthly data traffic on its 5G network, versus the previous period. Driving this growth were the availability of new, more affordable 5G devices and the continued push of Postpaid Unli5G Signature plans. 

    “As we strive to continue delivering the best mobile experience to our customers, we also ensure that our offers are value-packed and relevant, and that we are also able to make the latest handsets more accessible for our subscribers to make it easier for them to upgrade,” said Alex O. Caeg, head of Smart Consumer Wireless Business.

    Supporting this continuous increase in data usage is Smart’s mobile network, which was recently recognized for delivering the Philippines’ Best 5G Coverage Experience, according to the latest report by independent analytics firm Opensignal.  Smart’s mobile network covers 97% of the population and is part of the Philippines’ largest integrated network that includes PLDT’s 1.1 million kilometer fiber infrastructure.

    “Coverage is key to 5G adoption. Our latest citation from Opensignal is a testament to Smart’s commitment to expand the reach of our network across the Philippines. These efforts are also bearing fruit, as can be seen in the increase in our 5G data traffic, which has practically doubled,” Caeg added. 

    Smart’s initiatives to deliver enhanced mobile products and services are aligned with the PLDT Group’s endeavors to narrow the digital divide and provide connectivity to all, supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG) particularly on SDG No. 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure. These also reinforce the Group’s support for the Government’s overall digitalization thrust.

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  • SM Cares, PLDT, and Smart join hands to promote responsible e-waste disposal

    SM Cares, PLDT, and Smart join hands to promote responsible e-waste disposal

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    To strengthen its efforts in promoting the responsible disposal of electronic waste, SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, recently tapped PLDT Inc. (PLDT) and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), two of the leading telecommunications providers in the country for a strategic partnership that will expand SM’s Electronic Waste Collection (EWC) Program and drive further positive change in electronic waste management in the country. The partnership was launched to the public last April 22, 2024.

    Joaquin L. San Agustin, SVP of SM Supermalls for marketing

    In a short message, Joaquin L. San Agustin, SVP of SM Supermalls for marketing, underscored the need for the responsible disposal of electronic waste to help minimize its impact on human health and the environment. He also thanked PLDT and Smart for partnering with SM for the initiative. “Through this partnership, our goal is to promote and expand the reach of the E-Waste Collection Program, leveraging our combined expertise and resources to drive positive change in electronic waste management in the country.” He added.

    Melissa V. Vergel de Dios, chief sustainability officer at PLDT and Smart

    “Recognizing the importance of sustainability and responsible consumption, our brands, PLDT Home and Smart, have been actively promoting e-waste collection and recycling as part of their sales, marketing, retail operations, and customer engagement activities. We are thus grateful to have found a like-minded partner in SM, as this joint initiative significantly expands our reach and makes e-waste collection and circularity solutions even more accessible and convenient to our customers and the general public.”, said Melissa V. Vergel de Dios, chief sustainability officer at PLDT and Smart.

    To reinforce the initiative’s sustainability messaging, SM, PLDT, and Smart unveiled new designs for the bins that will be used to collect the e-waste, which are made from 8,400 pieces of used beverage cartons. Shown above are the new bin designs, taken during the launch of the partnership. The e-waste bins will be available at SM Malls nationwide, particularly in Cyberzone areas.

    Launched in 2021, the Electronic Waste Collection (EWC) Program encourages tenant and customer participation in the responsible disposal of electronic waste or e-waste which is considered hazardous, while also promoting decluttering in households and bringing to light conscious consumerism.

    Since 2021, a total of 11,600kg of e-waste has been collected through the program, diverted from ending up in landfills and causing harm to humans and the environment to the designated facilities where they are disposed of responsibly.

    This partnership between SM Supermalls, PLDT and Smart is the latest initiative under SM Supermalls’ solid waste management program, which is also in line with SM Cares’ Programs on Environment.

    In addition, SM Cares spearheads initiatives that promote sustainability and the development of the community, including programs for persons with disabilities, women and breastfeeding mothers, senior citizens, and children and youth, as well as the bike-friendly SM initiative.

    To learn more about these programs, visit www.smsupermalls.com/smcares. 

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    Gadgets Magazine 9

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  • Smart green energy network solution harnesses AI to lower cell sites’ power consumption

    Smart green energy network solution harnesses AI to lower cell sites’ power consumption

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    PLDT’s wireless subsidiary Smart Communications has deployed in all its wireless radio sites an innovative green network solution that has enabled the company to not only reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions but has also resulted in cost savings. 

    Intelligent and automated shutdowns, sleep, adaptive power to traffic consumption, and multilayer radio power optimization are among the newest eco-friendly innovations that Smart has implemented on its network to help cut its energy costs.

    Piloted nationwide in 2023, the AI-powered solution enables remote and automatic adjustments to capacity and power usage depending on load conditions, which enables the company to consolidate and conserve radio resources. The solution is also radio coverage sensitive, which maintains network availability and is scalable with increased usage. It also has a time-based activation capability, allowing Smart to choose which time to turn the solution on or off, based on the traffic trend.

    “Smart’s nationwide network is supported with advanced and intelligent functionalities maximizing operational efficiencies. Running the network constantly, even when traffic is much lower, especially during evening hours, is costly and inefficient in the use of network resources. Our green radio innovation is proven to harness artificial intelligence to track the activity on our network so that we can reduce the power consumption of our cell sites whenever they are not being fully utilized,” said Radames Zalameda, head of network quality, PLDT and Smart. “This means that certain elements of a cell site are turned off when demand is low but are automatically switched on when demand comes back. Combined with Smart’s Self-Organizing Network (SON), this also enables us to adjust the capacity of the cell sites as needed to support data traffic,” Zalameda added.

    Over the last twelve months, because of implementing this green network innovation, Smart reduced power consumption by around 10,900MWH, equivalent to greenhouse gas emissions from more than 1,690 gasoline-powered vehicles driven for a year, or carbon dioxide emissions from electricity consumption of 920 homes for a year. These figures were calculated using the Philippines’ Department of Energy’s Emission Factor and the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator.

    Smart continues its deliberate intent of higher energy usage savings with the adoption of predictive and machine-learning capabilities in its mobile network this year.

    “This initiative is a testament to PLDT’s longstanding commitment to embed sustainability practices into our operations as part of our drive to reach our sustainability goals while delivering leveled-up services to our customers nationwide,” said PLDT and Smart Network head Butch Jimenez.

    Chief sustainability officer Melissa Vergel de Dios further added, “The energy efficiency initiatives implemented by the PLDT and Smart Network teams demonstrate the organization-wide recognition of the need to do business responsibly and of our stewardship role of caring for the planet for the next generation.”

    To support the PLDT Group’s decarbonization roadmap that aims to reduce Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030, Smart’s mother firm, PLDT, recently secured a PHP1.0bn Green Loan facility from HSBC Philippines to partially fund the ongoing nationwide modernization and expansion of its fiber network supporting internet delivery platforms. The group is also actively exploring the integration of renewables, green technologies, and various energy optimization initiatives.

    As of end-2023, Smart’s mobile network serves 97% of the country’s population. Supporting Smart’s mobile network is PLDT’s fiber infrastructure, the country’s most extensive.  The PLDT Group’s investment in its fixed and wireless network is in line with its commitment to narrow the digital divide and provide connectivity for all, backing the Government’s overall push for nationwide digitalization.  These initiatives support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG), particularly on SDG No. 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.

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    Gadgets Magazine 17

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  • How local chocolate producer Kakaw Galleon made business sweeter with PLDT and Smart

    How local chocolate producer Kakaw Galleon made business sweeter with PLDT and Smart

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    The famous line from the 1994 hit movie Forrest Gump, “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get” has been true so far for Isagani de Ocampo, owner and chocolatier of Kakaw Galleon.

    De Ocampo began his career as a seafarer in 2009 and was trained as a Pastry Chef aboard cruise ships. This was followed by a chance to train under the esteemed Jean-Philippe Maury’s chocolate shop, honing Isagani’s skills under the guidance of masters.

    But fate had different plans for the chocolatier. When the pandemic hit in 2020, Isagani belonged to the first batch of repatriated overseas Filipino workers. It was also this time when he started creating his own chocolate formula, dreaming of launching his own chocolate line in the Philippines.  

    Chocolatier Isagani de Ocampo shares how eBizNovation has helped him expand his brand online.

    “It was hard at first because our taste for chocolate is quite different. Filipinos prefer the “stateside” chocolate. So, I thought of making a local version of chocolate that tastes like it’s imported,” he shared. “I wanted to bring the technology and the taste that I learned from abroad closer to chocolate lovers here,” he added.

    But starting the business during a pandemic was not easy. For one, he had to rent a separate place for his chocolate factory — which was not possible during the lockdown. De Ocampo had to put his business on hold for a year before he was able to launch his first product in November 2021.

    “It became a hit, and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) heard about it. They approached me and offered me help. I held my first bazaar with them in January of the next year and I introduced my product as a local ‘imported’ chocolate. And the rest is history,” he recalled.

    To scale his business even further, Isagani saw the value of upskilling and learning how to employ digital tools to boost micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) like Kakaw Galleon. When the invitation to attend the eBizNovation program under the livelihood advocacy of PLDT and Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) came, he did not hesitate to join.

    “I’m a non-tech savvy person. Technology and I don’t get along. But I saw the invite to the eBizNovation workshop of DTI and PLDT and Smart, so I attended the event. Then, when I returned home, I told my wife about it, and she volunteered to implement it,” de Ocampo said.

    Kakaw Galleon’s special handcrafted bonbons are on display.

    The eBizNovation program is a digital upskilling-to-ecommerce program that aims to provide local entrepreneurs, cooperatives, and MSMEs like Kakaw Galleon with the right digital tools to help them grow their businesses online.

    Together with government partners such as the DTI, LGUs, local chambers of commerce, and ecommerce platforms like TikTok Shop, eBizNovation trains local business owners like Isagani how to maximize digital commerce to boost their livelihood.

    “The skills and knowledge we gained from PLDT and Smart’s eBizNovation training have helped us build our digital platforms and online payment system and ultimately helped boost our online presence and sales. We are thankful for this opportunity,” the chocolatier shared.

    PLDT and Smart are committed to uplifting the lives of Filipinos through livelihood and entrepreneurship opportunities made possible by technology. These initiatives also support the UN SDGs #1 No Poverty and #8 Decent Work and Economic Growth. 

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    Gadgets Magazine 17

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  • Smart strengthens partnership with BillEase fintech app

    Smart strengthens partnership with BillEase fintech app

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    PLDT’s wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. and financial technology app BillEase have strengthened their partnership to elevate the experience of Filipino customers through various initiatives.

    “With customer-centricity as our guiding light, we continuously provide tailor-fitted products that customers can avail in a seamless loading experience through our fintech partners to help them connect to our fastest 4G and 5G networks and use technology for their work, school, entertainment, or lifestyle,” said Chito M. Franco, consumer sales VP and head of key accounts at PLDT and Smart.

    With over 1.8 million monthly active BillEase app users, Smart and TNT prepaid customers have another convenient way to top up their load using their mobile phones. They also have a Buy Now, Pay Later program to assist customers who might need to purchase load immediately and pay later.

    “The Buy Now, Pay Later option allows Smart and TNT customers to pay for their top-up in interest-free or interest-bearing plans, whichever is more convenient for them. This option underscores our commitment to providing financial flexibility, empowering customers to manage their finances effectively while staying connected,” said Kurt Molina, head of merchant products at BillEase, a partner working with RMS Reloads (Philippines) Inc.

    Aside from these initiatives, Smart and BillEase also rolled out a promo where customers could win a Samsung Galaxy A54 by simply loading via the app.

    The promo winner and Smart customer, 28-year-old Carlo Afable from Metro Manila, accepted the award during a small turnover ceremony held at the BillEase office in Makati City.

    “I use BillEase to buy load because it’s more convenient because of their Buy Now, Pay Later program. I also use the Smart network because it’s really fast,” Afable said.

    Smart’s network performance is enabled by the PLDT Group’s integrated fixed and wireless networks. Smart’s mobile network, which covers 97% of the population, is supported by PLDT’s total fiber footprint of over 1.1 million cable kilometers, consisting of over 0.9 million cable kilometers of domestic fiber and more than 200,000 cable kilometers of international fiber as of end-2023.

    Smart’s key partnerships and network initiatives are aligned with the PLDT Group’s endeavors to provide connectivity to all, and support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG) particularly on SDG No. 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure. These also reinforce the Group’s support for the Government’s overall digitalization thrust.

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  • PLDT-Smart and ATRIEV enable more visually impaired individuals in Mindanao

    PLDT-Smart and ATRIEV enable more visually impaired individuals in Mindanao

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    PLDT-Smart and ATRIEV (Adaptive Technology for Rehabilitation, Integration, and Empowerment of the Visually Impaired) recently concluded the second run of their Digital Business Basics Training (DBBT) in Mindanao.

    Twenty-five entrepreneurs with disabilities from Upi, Maguindanao del Norte, completed the 10-day workshop, a milestone in PLDT, Smart, and ATRIEV’s journey toward enabling inclusive community participation through technology.

    Visually-impaired participant Sharita Sulaiman shared her appreciation for the training, “I own a small business, and because of this initiative, I realized that there are a lot of opportunities for me to grow my business with the help of technology. Thank you, ATRIEV, PLDT, and Smart.”

    DBBT, designed for persons with disabilities, aims to bridge the digital divide by enabling entrepreneurs to perform important business-related tasks with the help of technology. The program covers the essentials of digital business, focusing on using Android Apps for business, e-wallets like Maya for financial transactions, innovative marketing strategies, and delivery apps to help entrepreneurs understand logistics and customer service.

    Brian Aubrey Serrano, ATRIEV lead trainer, said, “Through this training, the participants will learn new skills that can help them to start and strategize their business. We are teaching them different online applications that could help them sell their products in Upi and all over the country.”

    This engagement with ATRIEV is part of PLDT and Smart’s much broader Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Advocacy through Technology (IDEATe) program, which seeks the successful participation of marginalized sectors in the digital economy.  IDEATe also contributes to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which include Goal No. 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth and UNSDG No. 10 Reduced Inequalities by empowering and promoting the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, including persons with disabilities. This also underscores the PLDT Group’s commitment to innovation and supports the government’s key digitalization efforts.

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    Gadgets Magazine 17

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