Philippines mobile operator Smart has revealed it is evaluating incorporating TD-LTE technology in its LTE network.
The PLDT subsidiary revealed it has started preliminary TD-LTE tests in conjunction with Huawei, with test facilities achieving speeds of 40Mbps to 60Mbps.
Smart may use TD-LTE technology for home and office use, and use FDD LTE or mobile services, PLDT-Smart Technology Group Head Rolando G. Peña said.
“TDD-LTE fits perfectly into our fiber-powered network,” he said. Smart and its parent operate around 54,000km of fiber, and plans to add an additional 5,000km this year.
Smart launched LTE services in August 2012. The company is using both the 2,100MHz and 1,800MHz bands.
Smart's announcement comes the same week China Telecom told investors and media that it favors using FDD technology for its own LTE network, despite speculation that all three of China's mobile operators could deploy TD-LTE.
The evaluation also represents a growing trend towards the use of both TD-LTE and FDD LTE technology in 4G deployments. Even China Mobile, TD-LTE's biggest backer, has indicated that it plans to eventually run dual-mode LTE networks in China.