Smart maintains lead in 5G roaming

MANILA, Philippines — PLDT Inc.’s wireless subsidiary Smart Communications Inc. has kept its 5G roaming dominance, covering 62 countries through deals with 115 telco providers, as it aims to capture the growing demand for cross-border connectivity.

In North America, Smart said its 5G services can be accessed by subscribers in Canada via Bell Mobility and Telus and in the US via AT&T and T-Mobile.

Smart said that its 5G roaming reaches Europe, particularly Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar and Greece.

On top of this, Smart said its 5G reach touches Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal and Romania. The mobile giant also serves 5G connectivity in Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK.

In the Middle East – where many overseas Filipinos workers are stationed – Smart’s 5G covers Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.

The Pangilinan-led telco also has 5G presence in South Africa.

In Asia and the Pacific, Smart provides 5G roaming in Brunei Darussalam, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Macau, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

Likewise, Smart extends 5G coverage in Australia and Oceania, particularly in Australia, Guam and Northern Marianas Islands.

On the other hand, tourists from the countries listed above plus Brazil, Malaysia, Russia and Sri Lanka can avail of 5G services from Smart when they travel here.

Smart vice president for wireless core and international business group Chet Alviz said the firm wants to capture the rising demand for connectivity services abroad. As governments lift border restrictions, Smart expects the use of roaming to increase with Filipinos traveling overseas.

Alviz also said that tourists can maximize Smart’s 5G services in the Philippines

At present, the mobile giant operates. the most expansive fiber network in the country, spanning more than 1.09 million kilometers that support 77,200 base stations, including LTE and 5G sites.