PLDT Inc. and its wireless arm Smart Communications Inc. tested Radisys Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) technology, a potential alternative to fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) in areas where fiber rollout is difficult.
The initiative, spearheaded by PLDT’s Network Strategy and Architecture team, is the latest effort to improve internet coverage and customer experience in the Philippines.
Radisys FWA’s point-to-multipoint technology functions like a cell site, using a single base node to connect to specialized remote radio nodes at customer premises. This allows PLDT to deliver “fiber-like” speeds wirelessly.
During tests, PLDT achieved download speeds of 945Mbps and upload speeds of 929Mbps. Services such as video streaming, internet Browse, YouTube, TikTok, Facebook and Instagram were successfully tested.
This Proof of Concept (POC) follows PLDT’s 2023 test of 50G Passive Optical Network (PON) technology, which can provide 50Gbps service when needed.
“Fixed wireless access using Radisys technology has already been deployed successfully in large markets like India. We saw a strong opportunity to adopt and tailor this proven solution for the Philippine setting, especially in areas where laying down fiber remains a challenge,” said Radames Zalameda, vice president and head of Wireless Network Strategy and Architecture.
“This point-to-multipoint solution offers a simpler, faster way to deploy high-speed connectivity—without the need for extensive civil works. It delivers fiber-like speeds over the air, making it an ideal option in hard-to-reach or underserved areas,” said Lennart Olaivar, assistant vice president and head of wireless network strategy and transformation office.
Menardo Jimenez, network head at PLDT and Smart, said to help bridge the digital divide and ensure no Filipino is left offline, especially in underserved and geographically isolated communities (GIDAs), “we must stay at the forefront of innovation.”
“We explore and test next-generation technologies like Fixed Wireless Access not for novelty, but to meaningfully improve the customer experience and support the country’s broader digitalization goals. This is how we contribute to inclusive, future-ready nation-building,” he said.
PLDT’s focus on next-generation technologies aligns with its commitment to enhancing customer experience and expanding digital access nationwide.
As of end-March 2025, PLDT was operating the country’s most extensive fiber infrastructure, spanning over 1.2 million cable kilometers. This network supports Smart’s mobile coverage, which reaches 97 percent of the Philippine population.
