The battle between the Philippines top mobile carriers is heating up, with both telcos simultaneously announced the roll-out of their respective 4G (fourth-generation) mobile technology: Smart Communications with its LTE network and Globe Telecom with its HSPA+ platform. The bitter rivals again claimed credit for being the first to launch 4G in the Philippines – Smart for LTE and Globe for HSPA+. Both telcos could be right, however, since both LTE and HSPA+ are considered 4G mobile technology. LTE (Long Term Evolution) is described as a 4G technology that can purportedly deliver download and upload speeds of up to 50 Mbps. HSPA+, or Evolved High-Speed Packet Access, on the other hand, is a a high-speed broadband technology that allows for peak “theoretical” download speeds of up to 21Mbps, with upgradeability for 84Mbps. Smart Communications, in statement issued, claimed it is firing up the country’s first LTE mobile technology last April.
Recognized as the most advanced fourth-generation (4G) mobile broadband technology, LTE will enable individual users to download a movie in minutes rather than hours, download songs in seconds and easily watch high-definition video on Youtube with no buffering. Smart said LTE data services can be accessed using USB dongles attached to laptops or networks, or, via LTE-powered wireless routers providing WiFi coverage. Not to be outdone, Globe said in a statement that it is first carrier in the Philippines to launch HSPA+, which it said will complement its 4G WiMax (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) network.
To date, Globe said its 4G mobile technology has been deployed covering sites across Metro Manila, which includes Marikina, Quezon City, Makati, Pasay, Las Pinas, Taguig and the City of Manila. By end-2011, Globe said it expects to increase its 4G presence dramatically with continued expansion planned into 2012. In 2009, They were the first carrier to launch 4G through our WiMax network. Today, they extend our leadership by taking 4G mobile. The Ayala-owned telco it will soon roll out a suite of new multimedia services and 4G devices to complement the newly launched high-speed network infrastructure. Let the mobile 4G war begins!
