Clark, a major economic hub in Asia, was launched as the first 5G city in the Philippines.
The Clark Development Corporation (CDC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with telecom company PLDT and its wireless subsidiary Smart Communications Inc. to launch Clark Freeport Zone as the country’s first Smart 5G City. CDC is a subsidiary of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).
The 5G technology allows ultra-fast connectivity in a wide range of applications like traffic management, enhanced passenger experience at the Clark International Airport, and in manufacturing, logistics, and retail, among others.
BCDA President and CEO Vivencio Dizon said 5G technology “will really change the way we connect with each other.”
“It’s not just about the speed, the bandwidth, or the low latency, it’s about the immense opportunities that 5G provides; opportunities that are not even here yet like the IOT or the Internet of Things where you can shut off your aircon wherever you are or watch your child sleeping even if you are a thousand miles away on a business trip,” said Dizon.
The 5G’s capabilities will also improve the mobility experience in Clark, said Dizon, citing for instance its use in the bike-sharing program that will soon be launched at the Freeport Zone.
Under the MoU, PLDT and Smart, together with technology partner Ericsson, will fire up the first 5G cell site this month.
“With Clark at the helm of our 5G deployment, we are opening immeasurable opportunities to build the homes and enterprises of the future,” said Juan Victor Hernandez, senior vice president and head of enterprise for PLDT and Smart.
“5G ushers in a new era of intelligent services to power smart cities of tomorrow,” Hernandez said.
Aside from ultra-high speeds, they key features of 5G include enhanced mobile broadband services, massive machine type communications, and ultra-reliable and low-latency communications.
PLDT Chief Revenue Officer Ernesto Alberto said Clark is an ideal area because of the vision behind it.
“They have a vision of a smart city, if not a smart environment, not only for business investors but people who are actually locating there as they’re really encouraging a smart lifestyle of connecting everything, from connected vehicles to connected devices, to IOT, connected homes and all that sort,” Alberto said.
PLDT-Smart Chief Technology and Information Advisor Joachim Horn, for his part, said that their company is also eyeing to make the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) to be hosted by the Philippines next year in Clark a “5G Games.”
According to Horn, Clark is the first 5G city not only in the Philippines but also one of the firsts in the region.
–
Stay updated with New Clark City, by visiting the Bases Conversion and Development Authority at https://bcda.gov.ph.
