Sustained Rise in Data Usage Boosts Smart’s Mobile Revenues

Leading integrated telco network PLDT Inc (PLDT)'s wireless subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc (Smart) posted an 11% year-on-year growth in mobile data revenues in the first quarter of the year on the back of increased mobile data usage.

PLDT's individual wireless segment posted mobile data revenues of P18.8 billion, which accounted for nearly 90% of the total P21.1 billion Individual Wireless revenues for the first three months of 2024.

"Amid the company’s commitment to continue to improve service quality, there is a need to constantly innovate to ensure that we remain relevant to our customers," said Alex O. Caeg, Head of Consumer Wireless Business at Smart. He noted that while the heat index, hybrid work, and other macroeconomic indicators may have somewhat resulted in muted demand, the growing popularity of live streaming and social media platforms such as TikTok has driven increased usage and data traffic on Smart's network.

"We constantly monitor customer usage patterns so we can calibrate the network to deliver value and above-par customer experience," Caeg said. He expects the segment's performance to be further boosted by an increase in data consumption as more 5G-enabled devices latch onto Smart's network. "With the price of handsets approaching the sweet spot that is more attractive to the mass market, we continue to push for greater 5G adoption with the latest devices being more accessible to our subscribers and unleashing more innovations that will enable the ever-evolving digital customer lifestyles," he said.

PLDT and Smart also continue to invest in the capacity and coverage of their integrated fixed and wireless networks to support robust traffic growth.

Supporting this continuous increase in data usage is Smart's award-winning network, which was recently recognized for delivering the Philippines' Best 5G Coverage Experience, according to the latest report by independent analytics firm Opensignal. As of the end of March 2024, Smart's mobile network covers 97% of the population and is part of the Philippines’ largest integrated network that includes PLDT’s 1.1 million cable kilometer fiber infrastructure.

Smart's innovative mobile products and services contribute to the PLDT Group’s endeavors to narrow the digital divide, provide connectivity to all, and achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG) particularly SDG No. 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure. These also reinforce the Group’s support for the Government's overall digitalization thrust.