Smart soon to offer automobile LTE for public transport and private vehicles

An ‘auto’ mobile future for LTE

Following the announcement of US telco AT&T which said that it will soon offer built-in LTE connectivity in private vehicles, Philippine wireless leader Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) said that a similar application of the technology is already possible locally through the use of the Smart LTE Pocket WiFi device.

According to Smart Broadband Internet and Data Services Head Lloyd Manaloto, ‘auto’ mobile LTE can already be experienced in major cities and municipalities given Smart LTE’s widespread deployment in the country.

“The way ‘auto’ mobile LTE works is that LTE-enabled SIMs are installed in taxis, buses, jeepneys, or trains, thus, making available wireless services to passengers and even to the vehicle itself,” said Smart Manaloto. “While we await for the local introduction of this feature, the Smart LTE Pocket WiFi is the next best thing,” he added.

Manaloto explains that automobile LTE would also be ideal in local public transport as it could make available next-generation high speed Internet access to millions of Filipinos.

The MRT alone, which travels along Epifanio De Los Santos Avenue (EDSA), the Philippines’ busiest thoroughfare, has a daily ridership of around 500,000.

Apart from this, various forms of mass transportation will also be given the chance to access GPS and location data in real time as well as gain the ability to transmit data such as when wirelessly livestreaming CCTV footage.

“Imagine a future of cars with an integrated SIM slot. True mobility, literally and digitally!—commuters in the Philippines’ busiest cities could soon begin to Live More even while they’re stuck in rush hour traffic,” said Manaloto.

“All this could soon become real especially with Smart’s fast-improving LTE coverage nationwide,” he added.

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