Smart Boosts Coverage in La Trinidad

Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) is expanding its mobile network in La Trinidad, Benguet, with additional network infrastructure aimed at improving connectivity in one of the Cordillera region’s key commercial and agricultural hubs.

The mobile services provider recently signed an agreement with the local government to build additional network infrastructure in strategic areas across the municipality.

The company has also deployed a portable mobile cellular site in La Trinidad's central business district to increase its network capacity and improve mobile services in the area.

“Additional sites will help improve our coverage in La Trinidad and provide residents with more reliable service,” said Debbie M. Hu, Smart FVP for Network Build and Implementation. “As our chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan says, we have to make sure that all Filipinos have access to fast and reliable connectivity.”

For local businesses, stronger connectivity can help them adopt digital tools for payments, communication, marketing, and other day-to-day operations. It can also help the local government deliver faster and more efficient services to the community.

“These improvements will help our constituents stay better connected,” said La Trinidad Mayor Roderick Awingan. “Our students can access information more easily, our business owners can transact more efficiently, and our people can stay connected and get the information they need.”

The Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) plays a major role in the country’s food security, providing about 70% of the nation’s temperate vegetables. The province of Benguet, known as the country’s ‘salad bowl,’ is the Philippines’ primary producer of highland crops like cabbage and potatoes. La Trinidad acts as a central hub for farm products in the region. The wholesale trading posts in the municipality attract vegetable growers from across Benguet and nearby areas whose produce may reach as far north as Batanes and as far south as Mindanao.

La Trinidad is also home to the main campus of Benguet State University, a major higher learning institution in the region. The university’s Teacher Education program has been designated a Center of Excellence by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), while its Agriculture and Nutrition and Dietetics programs have been identified as Centers of Development.

For its continued efforts to enhance its network across the country, Smart has been recognized by Ookla®, a global leader in network intelligence and connectivity insights, for delivering the Best Mobile Video Experience in the Philippines.

This distinction matters because video streaming is one of the more demanding tests of a mobile network, requiring consistent speed and stability throughout playback. That same reliability translates to the everyday operations of La Trinidad's micro-, small-, and medium-scale businesses — from processing digital payments and money transfers to staying reachable for order requests and customer queries. Students also benefit, with steadier connections for online classes, accessing learning resources, and communication tools.

Smart’s latest effort to expand its network in La Trinidad underscores its continued investment in network infrastructure to improve customer experience and support the government’s overall digitalization efforts. This also contributes to the PLDT Group’s endeavors to help the country achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), particularly SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.