1.

OPO Connectivity: - GSM: 850, 900, 1800, 1900MHz / - WCDMA: Bands: 1/2/4/5/8 / - LTE: Bands: 1/3/4/7/17/38/40


Globe Telecom (provider in your country):
- GSM Frequency Band - 900 MHz/1800 MHz (Dual Band) ;
- 3G Frequency Band - WCDMA (UMTS) - 850Mhz/2100 MHz, UMTS/3G 1900(uplink)/2100(downlink) (Dual Band) ;
- 4G - (live LTE, WiMAX, HSPA+, test, license) - 4G Globe HSPA+ WiMAX 1800Mhz (Launch Date: September 2012)

Smart Communications (provider in your country):
- GSM Frequency Band - 850Mhz/900 MHz/1800 MHz (Tri-Band);
- 3G Frequency Band - WCDMA (UMTS) 2100 MHz, UMTS/3G 1900(uplink)/2100(downlink) (Dual Band);
- 4G - (live LTE, WiMAX, HSPA+, test, license) - LTE HSPA+ WiMAX 850/1800/2100Mhz (Launch Date: August 2012)

Sun Cellular (provider in your country):

- GSM Frequency Band - 1800 MHz (Single Band);
- 3G Frequency Band- WCDMA (UMTS) 850Mhz/1900Mhz/2100 MHz, UMTS/3G 1900(uplink)/2100(downlink) (Dual Band) ;
- 4G - (live LTE, WiMAX, HSPA+, test, license) Testing (Plans To Use The LTE frequency of Smart Communication)
Leading telecommunication operator Smart launched the first commercially available LTE
network in the Philippines, August 25. Two days before it's launch, rival operator Globe
announced that it will fire up their LTE the following month but still have no exact date as of this
writing.


Competition heats up as Smart claims the first 4G LTE in the Philippines. On
the other hand, Globe is claiming for the first mobile 4G.

For those who are curious about Globe press release of having the first 4G
network, HSPA+ and WIMAX are not 4G, it's 3.5G or 3.9G. Only LTE is capable
of delivering 4G speed.

Smart also has an existing HSPA+ and WIMAX network and not boasting for
existing 4G network beforehand.

Smart has undergone successful beta testing for almost a year firing up LTE in
various festivals in the country like Dinagyang, Panagbenga and Sinulog before
its commercial launch. Demo sites within Metro Manila also provided for LTE
trial. On the other hand, Globe Telecoms is not yet announcing its official test
and demo sites in the country. Never heard nor read articles about trial test for
Globe LTE.

What Globe promised on its press release of it's 4G Tattoo LTE on
September is it will cover 45 sites in Makati City that will quickly expand to
cover regions across Manila, Cebu, Davao and selected regions.

Smart LTE uses 2100Mhz, 1800Mhz and 850MHz bands of frequency
while Globe LTE will use only 1800MHz frequency. If you've noticed, 2100Mhz
band is also the frequency used for 3G technology while 1800MHz is used also
for 2G service. So, what's the advantage of using these frequencies? It means
that if mobile phones come compatible of LTE with 1.8 or 2.1 GHz frequency,
there will be a smooth transition or shift to LTE service. Note that LTE will be
the future platform of technology with all services to be incorporated to LTE
infrastructure.

More Smart LTE base stations were fired-up on the first half of September in
major locations in Luzon particularly in Tagaytay, Dau and Baguio. Nationwide
coverage can be expected at the first quarter of the year.

Just like Smart LTE, Globe promised up to 42 Mbps of speed. It also says that
by the 4th quarter of 2012, 4G LTE-capable devices will be available. Globe
said that Apple's iPhone 5 will be the first mobile phone with compatibility to
1.8GHz frequency of LTE. But, still need to verify since there are other factors
such as chips and software.

Smart LTE comes with Plan 3500 with free Huawei dongle and unli data up to
October 25. After this period, subscribers must abide to 10G cap limit.

Globe Telecoms on the other hand has unlimited LTE plans that are cheaper
than it's competitor. The Tattoo Black Plan 1799, with speed of up to 28Mbps is
offered at P1,799/month while the Tattoo Black Elite Plan 2499, with speed of
up to 42Mbps is priced at P2,499/month.

But take note, you should not amaze quickly with Tattoo plans since official list
of base stations is not yet revealed. One thing is sure, there is no Globe LTE
coverage yet and the plan is for 1800 Mhz band only.Globe commercial launch
of it's LTE is also not yet announced.

In terms of 4G technology, Globe is just starting. It seems that it's just riding
on the popularity of Smart LTE and blocking attention on what Smart receives
now.

Definitely, the stiffer competition between these major telcos will change or
regulate LTE pricing in the country. Tech savvy will surely benefit from it.

Update: Smart LTE: Affordable, Reliable and Commercially Available

Africa[edit]
Operator Country

[F 1]

(MHz)
Band
Duplex
mode
Launch
date
Cat.3
Launch
date
Cat.4
Notes

Globe
Philippines
1800 3 FDD Oct 2012

[314][315]

PLDT
Philippines
(?) (?) TDD April 2014

[247][316][317]
FWB
[D 1]

Smart
Philippines
850 5 FDD Aug 2012 Aug 2014(?)

[247][318][319][320]

Smart
Philippines
1800 3 FDD Aug 2012 Aug 2014(?)

[247][318][319][320]

Smart
Philippines
2100 1 FDD Aug 2012 Aug 2014(?)

[247][318][319][320]