Smart, Samsung drive 5G-SA innovation, VoNR

Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) has partnered with leading 5G smartphone vendor Samsung in driving the development of 5G Standalone (5G-SA) technology in the Philippines.
 
This development follows Smart’s recent firing up of their commercial 5G-SA sites in Makati. Earlier, Samsung was able to test 5G-SA and make a successful call using a Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G via Voice over New Radio (VoNR) at the PLDT-Smart Technolab in Smart Tower in Makati City.
 
VoNR further elevates the voice and video call experience of users, enabling much better call quality using the 5G-SA network. Smart made its first successful VoNR call as early as July this year with another vendor at the Technolab.
 
“5G SA, as an innovation platform, will create new opportunities for enterprises and consumers that will maximize its ultra-reliable and low latency capabilities, enabling industrial automation, autonomous mobile robotics deployment, safe remote crane operations, fast response in gaming and interactive video streaming, among others,” said Mario G. Tamayo, Head of Technology at PLDT and Smart.
 
“For the 5G future of Philippines to be fully realized, we need to accelerate the rate of deployment for more use cases and new applications to thrive. With 5G networks expanding across the globe, people are now experiencing the impact 5G can have on the mobile experience. At Samsung, we continue to expand our 5G-enable devices so more Filipinos can experience the power of next-generation 5G connectivity and enable them to share more, play more, and do more, faster,” said James Jung, president of Samsung Philippines.
 
5G SA technology paves the way for a variety of new industry applications that utilize 5G’s full features, enabling super-fast response times and faster access to higher data rates that are required by cloud gaming, or immersive media, for example.
 
This connectivity will also help drive the future-readiness of the telco network, creating new business opportunities and enabling new consumer services beyond the mobile phone screens.
 
To enjoy the country’s fastest, widest and most reliable 5G Network, customers can upgrade to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 5G, Z Flip 3 5G, S21 Ultra 5G, S21+ 5G, S21 5G, Note20 Ultra 5G, A52s 5G, A32 5G and A22 5G, which are available with Smart Signature Plans.
 
This collaboration further bolsters Smart’s leadership in the 5G space. To date, Smart has deployed around 6,400 5G base stations nationwide – the widest 5G network in the country. Ookla, the global leader in internet testing and analysis, has likewise recognized Smart as the fastest and most reliable 5G mobile network in the Philippines for Q1-Q2 2021, with median download and upload speeds that are twice faster than its closest rival.
 
With Mobile Number Portability, it is also now possible for subscribers to switch to Smart from other providers without having to change their number. To know more about switching to Smart, visit x.smart/switch. Users may also make the switch via the GigaLife App.