Smart Communications and Clark Development Corp. (CDC), the state-owned corporation that manages the Clark Freeport Zone, have signed new lease agreements to enhance the connectivity of telco facilities inside CDC.
The lease agreements cover the installation and operation of cell sites, fiber optic cables, and other network equipment that will improve the coverage and capacity of Smart’s mobile and fixed broadband services in the area. This will benefit the businesses, residents, and visitors of Clark, which is one of the country’s premier economic hubs and a major tourism destination.
This partnership is aligned with the PLDT Group’s role as one of the founding members of the Presidential Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) under the Digital Infrastructure Pillar, represented by its President and CEO Alfredo S. Panlilio. The PSAC is a government-mandated body that aims to accelerate the country’s digital transformation by facilitating collaboration among various stakeholders.
Through its B2B arm PLDT Enterprise, the PLDT Group has also been empowering businesses nationwide to realize their visions of transformation by delivering relevant digital and connectivity solutions, facilitating their digital pivot.
The lease agreements with CDC also enable the PLDT Group to further expand its total fiber footprint to over 1.1 million kilometers, consisting of over 231,000 kilometers of international fiber and over 885,000 kilometers of domestic fiber as of end-June 2023. This fiber infrastructure supports Smart’s mobile network, which covers around 97% of the population with 3G, 4G/LTE, and 5G.
The PLDT Group has also been pursuing a multi-year transformation program, with elevating customer experience as one of the key priorities, as well as contributing to the Group’s endeavors to provide connectivity to all and to anchor initiatives on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG), particularly on SDG No. 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.
