30 July 2025
Smart Communications, the wireless division of PLDT, has announced the successful completion of a lab test involving optical transport network disaggregation technology. This development marks a significant step towards creating a more open, agile, and efficient transport network capable of supporting future digital demands.
The test, carried out at the PLDT-Smart Technolab in Makati, moves the company closer to establishing a fully disaggregated transport network. Such a network design allows the telco to select hardware and software components from any vendor independently, providing greater flexibility and choice. This approach aims to optimise network performance, foster innovation, and improve operational efficiency while creating a more competitive ecosystem with multiple options that can help reduce costs and speed up service deployment.
Debbie Hu, FVP and head of wireless networks at Smart, explained that the lab test builds on an earlier proof-of-concept conducted in 2023, focusing on IP transport disaggregation. She noted that this progress supports the company’s vision of a cost-effective, fully disaggregated network architecture and paves the way for an open, end-to-end transport infrastructure that is scalable, future-proof, and vendor-neutral.
Radames Zalameda, Vice President and head of wireless network strategy and architecture at Smart, highlighted the transformative potential of network disaggregation. He stated that virtualising and decoupling transport functions from proprietary hardware not only enhances service delivery and cuts costs but also lays the groundwork for long-term network evolution. Zalameda added that the successful lab tests demonstrate that disaggregated solutions are now ready to be moved into operational environments, promising a more flexible and resilient network future for the telco.
