Smart eyes TDD-LTE for home and office use

Smart Communications (Smart) has begun testing a different version of its cutting edge Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology. Known as TDD-LTE, the variant employs a method called Time-Division Duplexing (TDD) which makes the high-speed broadband wireless connection ideal for home or office use.

“Our existing Frequency-Division Duplexing LTE or FDD-LTE uses one set of frequencies for uploads and another for downloads.  In a TDD-LTE system, data ‘takes turns’ in rapid succession to use a single set of frequencies,” said PLDT-Smart Technology Group Head Rolando G. Peña.

“It’s a different yet equally effective means of delivering high speed data services and we are testing its suitability to local conditions,” he added.

Smart recently conducted preliminary tests in cooperation with network equipment provider Huawei. The test facilities were able to achieve speeds of 40-60Mbps via an LTE SIM-equipped router.

60.17Mbps: TDD-LTE over WiFi on a laptop

44.14Mbps: TDD-LTE over WiFi on an Apple iPhone 5

WiFi-enabled devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops were then able to experience LTE speeds by logging on to the local wireless network.

TDD-LTE also makes possible high definition video streaming and lag-free online gaming because of its speed and low latency.

“With TDD-LTE, we could soon come out with the first ‘gaming grade’ wireless home connection,” said Peña.

Other countries that are adopting TDD-LTE include the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, Denmark, Ireland, Malaysia, Oman, Russia, Taiwan, the Bahamas, China, and India.

The widespread adoption of TDD-LTE -- especially in the U.S., China and India -- is expected to help bring down the cost of network equipment and customer terminals significantly.

“TDD-LTE fits perfectly into our fiber-powered network which enables us to deliver reliable, high-speed connectivity as efficiently and as quickly as possible,” Pena said.

With over 54,000 kilometers of Fiber Optic Cables (FOCs), Smart, together with parent company PLDT boasts of the Philippines’ most extensive FOC network.  PLDT is adding 5,000 more kilometers of fiber this year.

Unlike traditional copper wires which use electricity to transmit data, FOCs use pulses of light allowing for quick and lossless uploads and downloads.

“By combining high-speed wireless access technologies like LTE with PLDT's extensive fiber optic network, we are able to provide customers with an unmatched broadband experience,” he said.

For more information about Smart’s fiber optic network, visit www.smart.com.ph/imaginemore.

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