Spectrum Effect and Philippine Telco Smart Communications Achieve Major Network Performance Improvements by Reducing RF Interference

Leading Philippine integrated telco PLDT’s wireless subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) and Spectrum Effect® announced today that Smart has reached a new standard of network performance with best-in-class network experience for its customers with the deployment of Spectrum-NET.

Smart deployed Spectrum-NET nationwide in 2022, enabling Smart to reduce in half the interference impacting their network, making Smart the cleanest network in the region. According to data from Spectrum Effect, Smart now performs better than other operators in Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, and Latin America, putting Smart’s performance at par with North American and European countries. Smart is presently in the process of turning up Spectrum-NET’s new auto-mitigation capability, immediately increasing network capacity and improving service quality for subscribers affected by remaining interference sources.

“Radio frequency interference has a severe impact on our customers’ quality of experience, as it can lead to slower connections and choppy calls. As such, it has been a priority for Smart to take on this challenge head-on,” said Eric Santiago, Network Head at PLDT and Smart. “By partnering with Spectrum Effect and adopting their industry-leading Spectrum-NET solution, Smart has overcome the formidable RF interference environment in the Philippines, delivering topnotch experience to our subscribers across the country. This is also proof of PLDT and Smart’s commitment to continue investing in automating our network and making our operations more efficient.”

Smart launched the Spectrum Interference Extraction Detection (SIED) Program driven by Spectrum-NET as a game-changer in managing and mitigating the impact of RF Interference. The SIED program analyzed Smart's entire cellular network and removed 60% of Passive Intermodulation (PIM) interfered cells and 65% of RAN-Generated Interference (RGI) impacted cells to normal levels as of January 2023. To stem the continued increase in External Interference sources (e.g., substandard repeaters or “boosters”), especially in urban areas, Smart has been working closely with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).

"With the SIED program, Smart has been collaborating with Spectrum Effect on the development of solutions that automatically mitigate the impact of all types of interference, including boosters. Our efforts have contributed on average 40% in downlink throughput and 80% in UL throughput gains on cells where we resolved RF interference. We have maximized the value of the spectrum and improved customer experience on our network. We have been able to respond with better precision and agility using automated processes in optimizing Smart's network,” said Radames Zalameda, Head of Network Quality, PLDT and Smart.

“The vision, talent, and tenacity of Smart’s team are apparent in the network improvements they have achieved and impressive results from independent benchmarking of their network,” commented Charles Immendorf, Spectrum Effect CEO. ”We are pleased to be an integral part of Smart’s network and continuing to help push boundaries for optimal user experience.”

About Spectrum Effect

Spectrum Effect’s mission is to solve the most challenging and costly problems in the wireless industry through innovation and automation. With a passion for disruptive technologies and engineering excellence, Spectrum Effect has created Spectrum-NET, the industry’s leading solution for the automated ML-driven analysis and mitigation of RF interference. With Spectrum-NET, operators across the globe are rapidly addressing RF interference, improving network KPIs, surgically deploying their field assets, gaining insights into spectral efficiency, and saving significant OPEX and CAPEX. www.spectrumeffect.com.

About Smart Communications

Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) is a wholly owned wireless communications and digital services subsidiary of PLDT, Inc., the Philippines’ largest and only integrated telecommunications company. Smart serves approximately 97% of the country’s cities and municipalities with its combined 2G, 3G, 4G LTE, and 5G network*, providing mobile communications services, high-speed internet connectivity, and access to digital services and content to over 70.2 million Filipinos*, supporting the country’s growing digital economy, and providing the best customer experience for an increasingly digital Filipino lifestyle. For more information, visit www.smart.com.ph.

*as of end-March 2022

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Contact information

Cara Mormino for Spectrum Effect, cara@spectrumeffect.com

Cathy Y. Yang for PLDT and Smart, cyyang@pldt.com.ph