Smart to install indoor cell sites at RCBC Plaza

As part of an effort to expand and enhance indoor coverage in major business hubs, Smart Communications, Inc. signed recently a lease contract with RCBC Realty Corp. for the installation of indoor cell sites at the country’s biggest and most modern high rise today, the RCBC Plaza.

The agreement will facilitate the installation of Smart pico cell sites inside the skyscraper that will boost the 1800 MHz digital signal, in terms of indoor coverage and quality in the whole RCBC Plaza complex.

Located at the 1.04-hectare "island" site at the corner of Ayala Ave. and Sen. Gil J. Puyat Ave. RCBC Plaza is said to be the biggest and most modern office development in the country today. It consists of twin towers which house a museum, a 450-seat auditorium, a chapel, banking chambers, convenience shops, a food court, seven levels of basement parking, a business center, a gym and health spa and an open air courtyard.

"As the number of mobile phone users increase, meeting the challenge of providing indoor coverage for continuous connectivity is increasingly important. Our rollout of indoor pico cell sites in places like the RCBC Plaza towers is a leading example of Smart’s commitment to provide efficient indoor network services," according to Rolando G. Peña, network services division head, Smart Communications, Inc.

According to RCBC Realty Corp. president Perry Uy, RCBC Plaza is equipped with advanced technology systems at par with the world’s best high rises.

Pico cells are small but higher capacity cell sites that are situated indoors. These equipment are usually located in medium to high traffic areas, such as shopping malls, high rises or airports, providing indoor coverage and additional capacity not penetrated by outdoor cell sites.

Thus, installation of pico cells in strategic places inside a building make possible digital signal reception and relay even in the most interior parts. Smart has been installing pico cells inside prime commercial and business edifices.

With state-of-the art fiber-optic telecommunications system, security and monitored building automation system, the RCBC Plaza has been designated by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority as an information technology (IT) zone and has been declared as an economic zone as well. It is the first high rise accorded such status by PEZA.

Initial RCBC Plaza tenants include Nippon Express, REACH Network Philippines, Inc. and the De La Salle University Graduate School of Business and Technology.

The RCBC Plaza, through its developer RCBC Realty Corp., is a joint venture project of RCBC Land and the Government of Singapore Investment Corp. (GIC). International real estate consultants Colliers Jardine Philippines has been appointed the exclusive marketing agent and property manager of RCBC Plaza.