Ericsson to enable Philippines' mobile broadband net

Philippine consumers will be the first in Southeast Asia to experience an 850MHz W-CDMA/HSPA broadband network, as Smart Communications Inc. and Ericsson ink a contract, stating that Ericsson will provide broadband technology to upgrade Smart's nationwide GSM network.

Smart's network uses lower frequencies, which improve the quality of the radio signals, extending coverage and enabling rapid deployment. This makes it easier to provide mobile broadband in remote areas and improves indoor coverage in urban areas.

The HSPA-enabled network will enable rapid and cost-effective introduction of high-speed mobile Internet. It will also boost network capacity and cut response times for interactive services, according to an Ericsson press release.

Ericsson will supply Smart the common GSM/W-CDMA/HSPA packet core-data network, including the Service Aware Charging and Control solution, which allows mobile broadband fair-usage policies. Ericsson is also one of the main suppliers of the radio access network and will provide SMART with services such as network design, network deployment, competence development and systems integration.