Are you still using 3G and have always been wanting to switch to 4G? Here’s some good news.
PLDT already announced last year that they plan on terminating 3G services in 2024. However, it’s no secret that a lot of Filipinos are still relying on 3G connectivity to stay in touch with friends and family.
To help Filipinos, Smart executive Eric Santiago said that they will offer several options for users who will be affected by the scheduled 3G shutdown next year.
One of them is the plan to subsidize a portion of the cost of upgrading to a 4G-equipped smartphone, especially in locations where 3G is still widely used.
Santiago said that their goal is to migrate “some” of their 3G users to 4G LTE. “We would like to ensure that they can still stay connected”, the Smart executive said. In 2022, Smart has a user base of 66.3 million across the Philippines. 8% or 5.3 million of those users are still on 3G.
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By 2024, Smart may keep some of its 3G bases in communities where 3G is still widely used.
Back in 2022, PLDT Inc. studied the viability of keeping the 3G network in its portfolio. They then came to the decision to finally shut down the legacy service by 2024 due to dwindling traffic on the said network standard.
Smart suffered a 30% increase in depreciation and amortization expenses in 2022 to Php52.66 billion from Php40.46 billion the year before. The company is seeing its depreciation costs to stay elevated as the lifespan of its 3G bases and other legacy assets shorten.
Meanwhile, Santiago said that they also plan to slow down the fiber network expansion of PLDT as they want to maximize their existing 866,000-kilometer domestic and 231,000-kilometer international fiber line.
PLDT will then redeploy and reallocate some of the fiber cables to make sure they don’t go to waste and will continue their expansion by next year in case there’s more demand.
Via: PhilStar