Smart Communications

{{Short description|Telecommunications company in the Philippines}}

{{For|other companies named Smart|Smart (disambiguation){{!}}Smart}}

{{Infobox company

| name = Smart Communications Inc.

| logo = Smart Communications 2016 logo.svg

| logo_caption = Logo since 2016

| image =

| image_size =

| image_caption = Smart Tower at 6799 Ayala Ave, Makati, Philippines

| type = Subsidiary

| key_people = Manuel V. Pangilinan
{{small|(Chairman and Chief Executive Officer)}}

| industry = Telecommunications
Remittance

| predecessor = Sun Cellular (2003–2022)

| area_served = Philippines

| products = Mobile telephony

| services = Broadband services
Digital platform services

| parent = PLDT

| divisions =

| foundation = {{start date and age|1991|1|24}} (in Manila, Philippines)

| location_country = Philippines

| location_city = Smart Tower, 6799 Ayala Avenue, Makati

| homepage = [https://smart.com.ph/corporate smart.com.ph]

}}

File:Smart Communications Flagship Store.jpg

Smart Communications Inc., commonly referred to as Smart, is a wholly owned wireless communications and digital services subsidiary of PLDT Inc.,{{cite book |title=You Can Hear Me Now: How Microloans and Cell Phones are Connecting the World's Poor To the Global Economy |last=Sullivan |first=Nicholas P. |page=123 |year=2007 |publisher=Terrence Palangyos |isbn=9780787994631 }} a telecommunications and digital services provider based in the Philippines.{{Cite web|url=http://pldt.com/about-us|title=About PLDT - Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company|website=pldt.com|language=en|access-date=March 2, 2017}} As of November 2023, it is currently the largest mobile network with 55.2 million subscribers.{{Cite web |last=Piad |first=Tyrone Jasper C. |date=2023-11-08 |title=Smart snaps Globe's 7-year subscriber lead |url=https://business.inquirer.net/430425/smart-snaps-globes-7-year-subscriber-lead |access-date=2023-11-08 |website=INQUIRER.net |language=en}}

Smart offers commercial wireless services through its 2G, 3G, 3.5G HSPA+, 4G LTE, and LTE-A networks, with 5G currently being deployed in multiple locations in the Philippines.{{Cite web|last=Marasigan|first=Lorenz S.|title=Smart-PLDT, Huawei partner to research, develop 5G in PHL {{!}} BusinessMirror|url=http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/smart-pldt-huawei-partner-to-research-develop-5g-in-phl/|access-date=March 2, 2017|website=www.businessmirror.com.ph|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Mercurio|first=Richmond|title=Smart gears up for enhanced 5G coverage|url=https://www.philstar.com/business/2020/12/24/2065882/smart-gears-enhanced-5g-coverage|access-date=2021-01-19|website=Philstar.com}} Smart's terrestrial wireless telephony service is being complemented by its satellite communication services Smart Sat and Marino which also serve the global maritime industry.

The company has introduced wireless offerings such as Smart Money,{{Cite web|url=https://smartpadala.ph/smart-money/|title=SMART Money {{!}} SMART Padala|website=smartpadala.ph|language=en|access-date=March 2, 2017}} a mobile electronic wallet that also enables its SMS-based money remittance service Smart Padala (now integrated with Maya). It has also been recognized for introducing the world's first over-the-air electronic prepaid loading service called Smart Load.{{Cite news|url=http://www.philstar.com/business/251793/smart-captures-2-major-int%C2%92l-awards|title=Smart captures 2 major int'l awards|last=Reyes|first=Mary Ann Ll.|work=The Philippine Star|access-date=March 2, 2017}} One of its services,{{Cite web|url=https://smart.com.ph/About/meet/innovations-and-awards|title=Innovations and Awards - Smart Communications|website=smart.com.ph|access-date=March 2, 2017}} PasaLoad, allows its users to pass phone credits to other Smart prepaid accounts through SMS.

History

Anticipating the liberalization of the telecommunications industry in the Philippines a group of Filipino investors led by Orlando B. Vea and David T. Fernando organized Smart (then named Smart Information Technology, Inc.) on January 24, 1991. The company obtained its congressional franchise in April 1992 and was granted a provisional authority to operate a mobile cellular service in May 1993.{{cite PH act|chamber=RA|number=7294|title=An Act Granting Smart Information Technologies, Inc. (Smart) a Franchise to Establish, Maintain, Lease and Operate Integrated Telecommunications/computer/electronic Services, and Stations Throughout the Philippines for Public Domestic and International Telecommunications, and for Other Purposes|url=https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1992/03/27/republic-act-no-7294/|date=March 27, 1992|access-date=July 27, 2023|website=Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines}} In December 1993, Smart commenced commercial operations of its cellular service. By then, Smart had drawn in partners. These were: First Pacific, a Hong Kong–based conglomerate through its Philippine flagship Metro Pacific Investments Corporation and Nippon Telegraph and Telephone of Japan (NTT).

In compliance with the government's telecommunications program, Smart established a local exchange service in the cities and provinces assigned to it under the "service area scheme." The company also obtained licenses to provide international gateway, paging and inter-carrier transmission services.{{cite web |url=http://www.elitefavors.net/2010/06/smart-communication.html |title=About Smart Communication |publisher=elitefavors.net |date=June 14, 2010 |access-date=June 7, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714152231/http://www.elitefavors.net/2010/06/smart-communication.html |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |url-status=dead }}

On March 24, 2000, PLDT completed its share-swap acquisition of Smart, making Smart a 100%-owned PLDT subsidiary. In 2003, Smart was named the best employer in the Philippines in a study conducted by the firm Hewitt Associates.{{cite news|title=Pinoy employees are region's committed|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=okRaAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA51|access-date=June 30, 2024|newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer|publisher=The Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inc.|date=April 28, 2003|page=B2-1}}

In February 2011,{{Cite web|url=https://smart.com.ph/About/meet/innovations-and-awards/the-netphone|title=The Netphone - Smart Communications|website=smart.com.ph|access-date=March 2, 2017}} Smart unveiled the Netphone, its own line of Android-compliant smartphones designed for emerging markets at the GSMA Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. The Netphone was introduced as the world's first smartphone backed by an operator-managed platform.

On August 25, 2012,{{Cite web|url=http://smart.com.ph/About/newsroom/press-releases/2012/08/17/smart-launches-the-philippines-first-commercial-lte-service-on-august-25|title=Smart launches the Philippines' first commercial LTE service on August 25|website=smart.com.ph|access-date=March 2, 2017}} Smart launched the Philippines' first 4G mobile broadband commercial service running on LTE technology. On April 13, 2016,{{Cite web|url=http://smart.com.ph/About/newsroom/press-releases/2016/04/12/smart-starts-deployment-of-lte-advanced-mobile-service|title=Smart starts deployment of LTE-Advanced mobile service|website=smart.com.ph|access-date=March 2, 2017}} Smart introduced the first commercial LTE-A Service in Boracay, Aklan.

On June 13, 2016, Smart and its parent company PLDT unveiled their new logos and identity as part of the company's continuing digital pivot.{{cite news|url=http://pldt.com/newscenter/news/2016/06/13/pldt-smart-unveil-new-logo-in-line-with-digital-pivot-|title=PLDT, Smart unveil new logo in line with 'digital pivot'|publisher=PLDT|date=June 13, 2016|access-date=June 13, 2016}}

In February 2017,{{Cite news|url=http://business.mb.com.ph/2017/02/15/pldt-smart-huawei-seal-5g-partnership|title=PLDT-Smart, Huawei seal 5G partnership|work=Manila Bulletin|access-date=March 2, 2017}} Smart and parent company PLDT signed a memorandum of understanding with China-based Huawei Technologies "to shape the strategic and commercial development of the 5G ecosystem in the Philippines".

On April 21, 2017, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act No. 10926 which renewed Smart's license for another 25 years. The law granted Smart a franchise to establish, maintain, lease and operate integrated telecommunications, computers, electronics, and stations throughout the Philippines.{{cite PH act|chamber=RA|number=10926|title=An Act Extending for Twenty-five (25) Years the Franchise Granted to Smart Communications, Inc. (Formerly Smart Information Technologies, Inc.), Amending for the Purpose Republic Act No. 7294, Entitled "An Act Granting Smart Information Technologies, Inc. (Smart) a Franchise to Establish, Maintain, Lease and Operate Integrated Telecommunications/computer/electronic Services, and Stations Throughout the Philippines for Public Domestic and International Telecommunications, and for Other Purpose|url=https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2017/04/21/republic-act-no-10926/ |date=April 21, 2017|website=Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines}}{{cite news|url=https://pldt.com/news-center/article/2017/05/03/smart-communications-inc.-s-franchise-extended-for-25-years-under-r.a.-10926#.YWsNi7cRV6g|title=Smart Communications Inc.'s franchise extended for 25 years under R.A. 10926|publisher=PLDT|date=May 5, 2017|access-date=May 10, 2017}}

In October 2018, petitioners asked the Supreme Court to stop Globe and Smart from using the 700 MHz{{cite news|work=Rappler|url=https://www.rappler.com/business/215390-supreme-court-asked-stop-globe-smart-use-700-mhz|title=SC asked to stop Globe, Smart's use of 700 MHz frequency}} and Smart announced that they were working to fix its slow internet service.{{cite news|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1047159/smart-network-announces-slow-internet-services|title=Smart network announces slow internet services|first=Cathrine|last=Gonzales|newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer}} On July 30, 2020, Smart activated their 5G mobile network initially in Makati Central Business District, Bonifacio Global City, Araneta City, SM Megamall and SM Mall of Asia Bay Area.{{Cite web|title=Smart 5G goes live|url=https://smart.com.ph/About/newsroom/full-news/2020/07/30/smart-5g-goes-live-handsets-available|access-date=2021-01-19|website=smart.com.ph}}

In Opensignal's April report, on internet speed contest, Dito Telecommunity outplaced Smart Communications and Globe Telecom in the first quarter, with a download speed of 32 Mbps. It is also now the fastest operator for 5G, averaging 302.9 Mbps as against Smart’s 143.3 Mbps. In the reliability experience of subscribers, it further scored 835 out of 1,000 to breaking Smart’s 771 and Globe’s 748.{{cite news |last1=Rosales |first1=Elijah Felice |title=Dito ends Smart's streak as Philippines fastest operator|url=https://www.philstar.com/business/2024/04/30/2351362/dito-ends-smarts-streak-philippines-fastest-operator |accessdate=April 30, 2024 |publisher=The Philippine Star |date=April 30, 2024}}

Subscribers

The company has more than 66 million mobile subscribers as of 2022, under the brands Smart, Sun, and TNT, in addition to wireless broadband subscribers number more than 3.9 million under the brands Smart Bro and Sun Wireless Broadband.{{Cite web|title=Financial Highlights Q1 2020|url=http://pldt.com/docs/default-source/financial-results/md-a/2020/pldt-1q2020-mda.pdf?sfvrsn=0}}

By virtue of SIM Registration Act and due to the deactivation of unregistered SIM cards, Smart has 50.0 million subscribers as of July 26, 2023.{{Cite news |date=July 25, 2023 |title=NTC: No more SIM registration deadline extension |work=The Philippine Star |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/07/25/2283778/ntc-no-more-sim-registration-deadline-extension |access-date=July 26, 2023}}

As of November 2023, Smart reported that it has 55.2 million subscribers following the implementation of SIM card registration, which is slightly more than 54.7 million of close competitor Globe Telecom Inc., regaining its place as the mobile network with the largest subscriber base.

Radio frequency summary

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" \|+Frequencies used by Smart Communications
Frequency ! Protocol ! Network ! Band Number ! Duplex Mode !Common Name
900 MHz \| rowspan="2" \|GSM/GPRS/EDGE \| rowspan="2" \|2G \| 8 \| rowspan="2" \|FDD \| E-GSM
1800 MHz \| 3 \| DCS
850 MHz \| rowspan="3" \| UMTS/HSDPA/HSPA+ \| rowspan="3" \| 3G \| 5 \| rowspan="3" \| UMTS-FDD \| CLR
900 MHz \| 8 \| E-GSM
2100 MHz \| 1 \| IMT
700 MHz \| rowspan="6" \| LTE/LTE-A/LTE-A Pro \| rowspan="6" \| 4G \| 28 \| rowspan="4" \| FDD \|APT
850 MHz \| 5 \| CLR
1800 MHz \| 3 \| DCS
2100 MHz \| 1 \| IMT
2300 MHz \| 40 \| rowspan="2" \| TDD \| S-Band
2500 MHz \| 41 \| BRS
700 MHz \| rowspan="3" \| NR \| rowspan="3" \| 5G \| n28 \| FDD \|APT
2500 MHz \| n41 \| rowspan="2" \| TDD \| BRS
3500 MHz \| n78 \| C-Band

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"

|+Frequencies used by Smart Communications

Frequency

! Protocol

! Network

! Band Number

! Duplex Mode

!Common Name

900 MHz

| rowspan="2" |GSM/GPRS/EDGE

| rowspan="2" |2G

| 8

| rowspan="2" |FDD

| E-GSM

1800 MHz

| 3

| DCS

850 MHz

| rowspan="3" | UMTS/HSDPA/HSPA+

| rowspan="3" | 3G

| 5

| rowspan="3" | UMTS-FDD

| CLR

900 MHz

| 8

| E-GSM

2100 MHz

| 1

| IMT

700 MHz

| rowspan="6" | LTE/LTE-A/LTE-A Pro

| rowspan="6" | 4G

| 28

| rowspan="4" | FDD

|APT

850 MHz

| 5

| CLR

1800 MHz

| 3

| DCS

2100 MHz

| 1

| IMT

2300 MHz

| 40

| rowspan="2" | TDD

| S-Band

2500 MHz

| 41

| BRS

700 MHz

| rowspan="3" | NR

| rowspan="3" | 5G

| n28

| FDD

|APT

2500 MHz

| n41

| rowspan="2" | TDD

| BRS

3500 MHz

| n78

| C-Band

Esports

Smart and its parent company PLDT launched Omega esports, a professional esports team for Dota 2, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, and Tekken 7 that competed in the 2019 The Nationals.{{Cite news|url=https://sports.inquirer.net/338439/pldt-smart-launch-pro-gaming-team-omega-for-countrys-first-franchise-based-esports-league|title=PLDT, Smart launch pro gaming team 'Omega' for country's first franchise-based esports league|date=February 17, 2019|newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bworldonline.com/pro-gaming-team-omega-of-pldt-smart-launched/|title=Pro gaming team 'Omega' of PLDT, Smart launched|date=February 18, 2019|work=BusinessWorld}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/on-the-radar/2019/02/18/1894734/pldt-smart-launch-pro-gaming-team-omega-countrys-first-franchise-based-esports-league|title=PLDT, Smart launch pro gaming team 'Omega' for country's first franchise-based esports league|date=February 18, 2019|work=The Philippine Star}} It is also a major sponsor of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang esports events in the Philippines such as the previous MSC 2019.{{Cite web|url=http://egg.network/news/msc-2019-will-take-place-philippines|title=MSC 2019 Will Take Place in the Philippines!|last=Roslan|first=Firdaus|date=May 27, 2019|website=eGG|access-date=October 27, 2019|archive-date=October 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028225430/http://www.egg.network/news/msc-2019-will-take-place-philippines|url-status=dead}}