Smart Broadband Inc filed for more frequency bandwidth from the NTC because they are planning to offer Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) with their current services. With IPTV, SmartBro will be able to offer digital television shows to their customer base.
SmartBro already filed their application in March for the use of two 48-megahertz frequency bandwidth in the 700 MHz spectrum.
In current practice, IPTV is usually provided along with traditional Voice over IP (VoIP) phone service. IPTV usually comes in the form of Video in Demand. With this current development, it further dulls the lines between traditional telecommunications company and cable companies as the latter has already started providing internet services along with its traditional Cable TV programs.
According to SmartBro Legal Counsel, Enrico Espanol, this is in preparation for their deployment of WiMax Communications services to go along with their traditional wireless broadband offerings.
With WiMax equipment in place, SmartBro will be able to offer the traditional broadband Internet, email, VoIP and SMS or text messaging via the packet switched network), interactive broadcasting services (broadcasting portal, browser, shopping, SMS/MMS, e-mail, tribes and browser), web applications (HAM radio digitized, wireless video streaming sharing and wireless video blog), and sensor network and digital home integration.
Smartbro is expecting WiMax subscribers of the 700 MHz lower band to reach 70,000 in the first year then 150,000 to 200,000 in the second and third years.
SmartBro is also planning to enhance its current system when it applied for a 900 Mhz frequency bandwidth last March. With this system, None-Line-Of-Sight antenna equipment can be deployed. Current limitations of their wireless service right now is the Line of Sight requirement between the base station and the home subscriber’s wireless antenna. This has also been a source of constant headache for current subscribers as their internet connectivity is usually hampered by bad connection between base station and their wireless antenna.
Given the geography of Davao City and its vast land area, Wireless Broadband Internet is the only means for some rural areas to be able to avail of internet broadband services because current DSL connections aren’t available given the distance and capital investment needed. Wireless Broadband can easily piggy back on existing Cellphone installations already in place making their deployment easier compared to traditional cable deployed internet services. The upgrade and promise of additional bandwidth is welcome news to an already saturated subscriber base in Davao City.
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2 responses so far ↓
1 OLYMPIO C. MAMIGO, JR. // May 13, 2008 at 11:16 am
May I submit a comment regarding our place Nabunturan, ComVal Province suffering from very slow signal using GPRS in my SMARTBRO Broadband pre-paid kit # 09299801988. Until this time we cannot enjoy explore surfing, download, etc. . . only internet chatting with video call but limited only because it will HANG ACCORDINGLY due to this problem. Please provide more service in upgrading your services with us SMARTBRO PREPAID SUBSCRIBER.. .
Please reply . . .
OLYMPIO C. MAMIGO, JR.
Smartbro Pre-paid Subscriber
2 annabelle adoracion // Jun 2, 2008 at 7:21 am
i am a smartbro subscriber but the internet connection is too slow,i cant even open pictures on sites and it always had an error,i plan to cut it off and try another internet service provider,i always call customer care but it seems that they are not concern about it….
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