PLDT Inc. (PLDT), through its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), has successfully tested optical transport network disaggregation technology, a first in the Philippines, at the PLDT-Smart Technolab in Makati. In marking this milestone, Smart takes a step closer towards a fully disaggregated transport network, which is key to transforming its network into a more open, agile, efficient and flexible one, and the end goal of enhancing the quality of customer experience.
Network disaggregation will enable telcos like Smart to choose any vendor for software and for hardware separately, at any time. This ability to mix and match vendors and best-in-class solutions is seen to enhance network performance, boost innovation and increase operational efficiency. It also ushers in a competitive ecosystem with more options that can reduce costs and accelerate service delivery.
“This milestone builds on the momentum of the previous IP transport disaggregation Proof of Concept (PoC) conducted in 2023 by validating Optical Transport Disaggregation technologies,” said Debbie Hu, FVP and Head of Wireless Network at Smart. “It supports our goal of a fully disaggregated, cost-efficient network architecture and paves the way for an open, end-to-end transport infrastructure that’s future-ready, scalable, and vendor-neutral.”
PLDT and Smart have long been exploring open and disaggregated architectures to modernize their network infrastructure. This strategic direction also aligns with previous initiatives such as Open RAN and Cloud-Native Core technologies.
The transport network, though largely invisible to end users, is a critical backbone that carries data, voice, and video across vast distances. Recognizing its importance, PLDT and Smart have made consistent investments in upgrading and evolving this layer to support growing service demands. Disaggregating both IP and Optical transport empowers telcos like PLDT and Smart to rapidly adapt to shifting market needs, deploy new services faster, and reduce dependency on proprietary, closed systems. It is a key step toward achieving a programmable and future-ready network, one that’s more capable of quickly adapting to user needs and requirements, ensuring more scalable, more reliable, and more personalized experience for all customers
“This approach not only improves service delivery and cost efficiency, but also sets the foundation for long-term transformation,” said Radames Zalameda, VP and Head of Wireless Network Strategy and Architecture.
Unlike traditional, vertically integrated networks that rely on a single vendor, disaggregated systems are built with open, interoperable hardware and software from multiple suppliers. This model enables faster evolution and future-proofing of telecom infrastructure.
“Our transformation journey has always aimed to modernize our entire network, from Core, to Access, to Transport,” Hu emphasized.
“By virtualizing and decoupling transport functions from proprietary hardware, we are building a more agile, scalable backbone,” Zalameda noted. “Our lab tests confirm that disaggregated solutions are now reaching operational readiness.”
Beyond driving Smart’s end-to-end network evolution, disaggregation simplifies technology deployment, accelerates upgrades, and avoids vendor lock-in, paving the way toward a new era of operational agility and resilience.
This push toward next-generation technologies reflects the PLDT Group’s commitment to enhancing customer experience and expanding digital access nationwide. These efforts align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal No. 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, and support the government’s overall digitalization thrust.
