Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1 commuters in the city of Manila now have high-speed Wi-Fi connectivity after PLDT wireless subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) expanded the coverage of its carrier-grade #SmartWifi to include the stations of Abad Santos, Pedro Gil, Gil Puyat, UN Avenue and R. Papa – bringing the total to six (6) connected LRT-1 stations.
Initially made available at the newly rehabilitated Doroteo Jose station starting February of this year, Smart has since expanded its transmission and resiliency network infrastructure serving the LRT-1 rail system to bring its super speed #SmartWifi to five (5) additional stations.
According to PLDT Smart Senior Vice President and Head of Enterprise Juan Victor Hernandez, this continuing rollout in the LRT-1 complements the telco’s deployment of #SmartWifi in various high-traffic areas in Metro Manila, including all 13 stations of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Line 3 which was completed recently.
“As our nationwide rollout of #SmartWifi goes on full swing, this deployment along the LRT-1 is yet another step forward in our efforts to make world-class Internet connectivity accessible to more and more people,” says Hernandez.
Available to all mobile network subscribers and users of Wi-Fi capable devices, #SmartWifi offers commuters 30 minutes of free Internet everyday without a data cap, which they can use to access online content. To connect, they must turn on their Wi-Fi connection and select #SmartWifi from the list of available Wi-Fi networks.
Should they wish to extend usage after the free 30-minute session, Wi-Fi users, including non-Smart subscribers, may purchase #SmartWifi loads from partner retailers in denominations of P20 for two (2) hours, valid for two (2) days, and P50 for 10 hours, valid for five (5) days and with no data cap within the subscription period.
Smart, Sun and TNT subscribers may also convert their regular loads to #SmartWifi minutes by texting the preferred denomination WIFI10, WIFI20 or WIFI50 to 9991 for 30 minutes, two (2) hours or 10 hours of Internet, respectively.
After the initial five stations, Smart is looking at completing its public Wi-Fi installation in all LRT-1 stations and on the corresponding street level stretch by the end of the year. The telco has also committed to strengthen its 2G, 3G and 4G coverage in the entire stretch of LRT-1, as well as in Metro Manila’s major transport terminals and railways.
“These are all aligned with our efforts to improve the commuting experience in the Metro. These are also opportunities for us to let the public reap the benefits of our network modernization program – specifically our Smart Wi-Fi and our LTE rollouts,” explains Hernandez.
In addition to the LRT-1 and MRT-3, Smart has also deployed super speed Wi-Fi connectivity in major airports, seaports, bus terminals, hospitals, schools, city halls, tourist spots and malls nationwide. The company is forging partnerships as well with burgeoning lifestyle hubs and food parks across the country to rollout #SmartWifi called Smart Spots.