Globe and Smart have announced the availability of its LTE (Long-Term Evolution) 4G networks on iPhone 5 that promise a blazing internet speed of up to 42Mpbs but in yet selected areas of the urban Philippines. The announcement came after Apple releases today its iOS 6.1 update which brings the LTE support to iPhone 5. Among the countries which enjoy the update is the Philippines. See here the list of countries and telcos
Both Smart and Globe networks are luring its iPhone 5 customers via Facebook and Twitter to switch on to LTE and start enjoying the LTE speed. Smart subscribers don’t need to change their SIM cards to connect to the LTE network while Globe subscribers must change their regular Nano SIM card to LTE Nano SIM card for free at any Globe stores. The LTE speed is initially offered to postplan subscribers.
Smart is giving its subscribers limited time to enjoy free LTE speed until April 30, 2013 for postpaid Plans 999 and 2499 and UnliData Plans 1500, 2000, and 3000. Globe, on the other hand, is giving the services to all of its plan subscribers.
Peter Bithos, Senior Advisor for Consumer Business at Globe “Even with LTE, Postpaid subscribers don’t need to incur additional fees or shift to a different or higher data plan just to enjoy the benefits of LTE. Globe is making LTE available to everyone on LTE-enabled devices regardlessof their plan subscription.”
However, Smart apparently has wider LTE-covered areas than Globe’s.
GLOBE SMART
Subscription Rates No additional cost across all plans Free for Plans 999 & 2499; UnliData Plans 1500, 2000, 3000 until April 30, 2013
SIM card availability Subscribers must change to LTE Nano SIM card Subscribers can use existing SIM card
LTE-Devices Offer Tatto Black dongle, Huawei Ascend P1, AZTE T81 Modem Dongle, Pocket WiFi, Sony Xperia V, ZTE T82, iPhone 5
LTE-Areas Coverage Select Areas:Makati, Manila, Pasig City, Quezon City, Taguig City, Muntinlupa, Mandaluyong,Cebu City, and Boracay
Specific Areas: (Metro Manila)
Meralco Avenue, Wack-Wack, Ortigas Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Binondo, Eastwood, Katipunan Avenue, Diliman
300 Areas (77 establishments, 10 cities in Metro Manila, and select areas in Boracay, Cebu, and Davao) BATAAN:-Abucay, Balanga City, Hermosa, Orion, Pilar
CEBU:
-Cebu City, Mandaue City, Talisay City
ILOCOS NORTE:
-Agoo, Bauang, San Fernando City, Santo Tomas
LAGUNA:
-Biñan, Cabuyao, San Pedro
METRO MANILA:
-Taguig, Makati City, Pasig City, Mandaluyong, Pasay City, Manila, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa City
NUEVA ECIJA:
-Cabanatuan City, Gapan City
PANGASINAN:
-Binmaley, Dagupan, Lingayen, Manaoag, Mangaldan, San Carlos, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Urdaneta, Villasis
RIZAL:
-Antipolo City
ZAMBALES:
-Olongapo, San Marcelino, San Narciso
Note: You can check the detailed list of areas of Smart LTE here.
