PLDT has announced plans to build its first 5G city at the Clark Freeport Zone this November 2018. This will make the former US military base the first 5G cell site city in the Philippines.
“This will benefit not only Clark but the country as well by demonstrating that we are in step with the rest of the world in adopting advanced intelligent technologies,” PLDT chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan said as quoted by ABS-CBN.
On Monday, PLDT, its subsidiary Smart Communications, Swedish telecommunications company Ericsson, and the Clark Development Corporation signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to make the Clark Freeport Zone the first 5G city in the country.
The company said that it will provide LTE or 4G access to Clark residents and build 5G facilities this month.
“This, we believe, will not only be of benefit to Clark locators but also the many industries, various businesses and communities in the country as well,” said Clark Development Corporation CDC President and CEO Noel Manankil.
5G is the next generation in mobile Internet connectivity, and is up to 20 times faster than current 4G connectivity. 5G networks will help hasten the adoption of Internet of Things (IoT) technology, allowing for a smarter and more connected world.
5G networks are expected to launched around the world in 2020, resulting in faster Internet connections. Tests by leading telecom companies show that browsing speeds on 5G could reach 1.4 gigabytes per second – more than 20 times faster than 4G.
PLDT has already started 5G-compatible equipment across its network of 2,000 5G-ready sites and 221,000 kilometers of fiber optic cable.
Feature photo credit: Kārlis Dambrāns
