Smart installs GSM center in Cebu

As part of its effort to build a resilient nationwide network, Smart Communications, Inc. has recently installed a GSM mobile switching center (MSC) in Cebu City, doubling to 700,000 its subscriber capacity in the Visayas region.

The cellphone company has also doubled its radio network capacity in the Visayas from its end-2000 figure.

Located in PLDT South Tower, Cebu City, the new MSC will augment the two existing switches housed in the same building and will serve specific areas in Cebu and its neighboring provinces. The Cebu switches is the 23rd switch in the country to be installed by Smart.

"By doubling subscriber capacity in the Visayas, we have substantially improved the resiliency of our network in the region so that traffic in the Visayas will be efficiently handled within the region itself. This will translate to better service for our customers in the Visayas," Smart network services division head Rolando Peña said.

Smart recently enhanced its network coverage in the Palawan areas, which has resulted in improved service. By establishing a new base station controller and augmenting the capacity of the province’s existing cellsites, subscriber capacity in the area was tripled and satellite transmission capacity was increased eight fold. This meant improved efficiency in the area’s network traffic management.

The company has been continuously expanding in the regions, installing new MSCs and base station controllers as well as improving its radio network in Northern Luzon, Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao by almost 7.5 percent. – Mary Ann Reyes