Smart, Nokia test faster roaming data experience for Filipinos abroad

• Contributed photo

Smart Communications, Inc. is exploring a faster and smoother data roaming experience for Filipino travelers through a live demonstration of Nokia’s Core SaaS Edge for Roaming technology.

Smart, the wireless unit of PLDT Inc., said it completed the live demo test with Nokia earlier this year at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

The test showed how roaming data traffic from Smart subscribers in Europe can be routed through the nearest point-of-presence in the region instead of being sent back to the Philippines.

This process, called local breakout, can help reduce latency and improve browsing, app responsiveness, and overall mobile data performance while users are roaming abroad.

According to Smart, the live test was the first for a telco operator in Southeast Asia using Nokia’s Core SaaS Edge for Roaming solution.

The technology allows operators to provide a roaming experience closer to local network quality while keeping control of policy, charging, and subscriber services from their home network.

“Smart’s continuous investments in exploring innovations such as this local breakout technology is part of our broader commitment to always deliver exceptional services to our customers, wherever they may be—not just in the Philippines, but across the world,” said Menardo G. Jimenez Jr., PLDT Chief Operating Officer and Head of Network at PLDT and Smart.

Jimenez added that the successful demonstration illustrates the real potential of the technology to enable Smart subscribers to roam as if they are on a local network, while still using their Smart SIMs.

“Solutions like Core SaaS Edge are advancing connectivity by unlocking better roaming experiences for people worldwide. Working with telecommunication service providers like Smart — innovators that are willing to push the boundaries of tomorrow — helps us take important steps to a brighter future,” said Henrique Vale, Vice President, Asia-Pacific region, Core Software at Nokia.

PLDT and Smart said the initiative forms part of the group’s push to improve customer experience through next-generation technologies for Filipinos in the Philippines and abroad.

The companies also said the effort supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal No. 9 on Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, as well as the government’s broader digitalization agenda.