Smart expects spike in cloud services

MANILA, Philippines - Smart Communications Inc., a unit of dominant carrier PLDT, expects a spike in the usage of “cloud-based” services such as online storage, backup and file sharing applications in the Philippines as the company undertakes P67.1-billion network upgrade.

Lloyd Manaloto, head of Smart Broadband Internet and Data Services, said the rise in the usage of cloud services in the country would be in line with the introduction of super-fast wireless technologies such as Long Term Evolution (LTE).

Manaloto pointed out that cloud services are quickly gaining mainstream acceptance around the world as major mobile operating systems such as Android, iOS and Windows offer cloud-based services to their users.

Apple, for example, has integrated its proprietary iCloud backup technology to all devices running the latest versions of its OS. The same goes with Android with Google Drive and Windows with Microsoft SkyDrive.

“We are creating more data than what can be stored in just a single memory card or hard drive, which is why being able to store and access everything online is such an attractive proposition,” Manaloto said.

As the only wireless services provider with a functioning LTE network in the Philippines, Smart is ready to make available consistent high-speed connectivity on mobile devices.

In a round of beta tests earlier this year, Smart LTE has been proven to deliver speeds of over 100 Mbps, making it ideal for transferring and downloading large files such as video from the web.

“With LTE, accessing software and services on the web will be as quick as when you open files or programs stored locally in your computer’s hard drive,” Manaloto said.

With its massive network upgrade now on the final stages of optimization, Smart, together with parent company PLDT, is ready to back up LTE technology with a network that includes over 50,000 kilometers of fiber optic cabling and the latest Single Radio Access Network located across the country.

“With the infrastructure set, LTE is ready for deployment. Expect our commercial offering to come out soon,” he said.

Smart is the Philippines’ leading wireless services provider with 50.6 million subscribers on its GSM network as of end-March 2012.

It has built a reputation for innovation, having introduced world-first wireless data services such as Smart Money, Smart Load, Smart Padala and the Netphone. It also offers 3G and HSPA+ services, and the country’s first and only LTE network.

Smart Broadband on the other hand has over 1.6 million subscribers as of end-March 2012.