Smart, Ericsson, Meta improve Messenger call quality for millions of Filipinos

• Smart, Ericsson, and Meta representatives (L-R) Paivand Ahmadi (Head of Optimization, Ericsson Philippines), Ramani Annamalay (Head of Operations, Ericsson Philippines), Rudyard Ranjo (AVP, Network Service Operations,  Smart), Arda Cetiner (Country Manager, Ericsson Philippines), Christopher Viray (Senior Manager, Network Service Operations, Smart), Hans Alvarez (VP, Network Design and Engineering, Smart), Vinod Samarawickrama (Global Program Head, Network Infrastructure and Ecosystems), and Sen Visalda (Optimization Program Manager, Ericsson Philippines)

Millions of Messenger users in the Philippines are seeing clearer and more reliable voice and video calls after Smart Communications, Ericsson, and Meta rolled out network optimizations across Smart’s infrastructure.

The joint effort focused on improving real-time communication performance at scale, resulting in reduced delays, fewer call interruptions, and better video quality for users nationwide. The improvements were implemented through technical adjustments in Smart’s live network, initially optimized in Luzon.

According to the companies, Messenger calls now register 24.6 percent lower round-trip time (RTT), reducing delays during conversations. Packet loss, a key factor behind call interruptions, dropped by 55 percent, while video bitrate improved by nearly 20 percent, enabling clearer video quality.

The gains are not limited to Messenger, with the optimization also benefiting other calling applications that rely on the same network conditions.

Debbie M. Hu, head of network at Smart Communications, said the initiative supports the company’s push to improve service quality for everyday users.

“These improvements mean their video calls over Messenger are sharper, and they can enjoy continuous calls with their loved ones. We are grateful for this opportunity to turn innovation into everyday excellence, to the benefit of our customers,” she said.

Ericsson also emphasized the role of coordinated efforts between network providers and platform companies in delivering measurable improvements.

“This initiative demonstrates how focused global technical expertise, decades of trusted telco leadership, and platform-level coordination can come together to produce tangible, customer-facing improvements — clearer audio, fewer interruptions, and a more dependable calling experience,” said Daniel Ode, Head of Singapore, Philippines and Brunei at Ericsson.

The collaboration highlights how network-level optimization, rather than just app-level updates, can significantly improve user experience, particularly for communication platforms widely used in the Philippines.

It also aligns with Smart and PLDT’s broader effort to enhance connectivity performance as demand for video-based communication continues to grow.