By: Catherine Cueto

PLDT and wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) emerged as the top Philippine finalist at the 2022 World Communication Awards (WCA), which recognizes excellence among the world’s leading telco players.

In a statement, the company said that both PLDT and Smart received three nominations, including being shortlisted for Operator of the Year. The group was the only Philippine telco nominated in this category.  

In 2021, PLDT and Smart continued nationwide network rollout to serve the needs of Filipinos. 

By end-2021, Smart’s mobile network had nearly 75,400 base stations, including 7,200 5G base stations—the widest 5G network in the Philippines. 

This mobile network is supported by PLDT’s fiber infrastructure, which is at more than 743,700 kilometers.

Meanwhile, PLDT and Smart’s network restoration and emergency response in the aftermath of Typhoon Odette was nominated for the Crisis Response Award. 

Fully committed to its core value of malasakit (compassion), the group demonstrated crisis leadership by ensuring network resiliency and access to life-saving information and aid to affected communities.

Efforts included the prepositioning of technical teams and network equipment, and the deployment of early warning advisories, free calling, charging and wifi services, emergency load assistance, bill rebates and relief goods.

PLDT and Smart are also in the running under the Social Contribution Category for Better Today-- a multi-pronged and multi-stakeholder approach towards promoting online safety and wellness.

The program is designed to cater to PLDT and Smart customers nationwide, through technology solutions that detect, filter, and block illicit online content, learning caravans that advocate better digital habits, capacity-building programs anchored on child protection and mental wellness, and group-wide policies on cybersecurity.

The 2022 WCA has seen its fiercest competition to date, with entries coming from across the world. Established in 1999 by London-based publication Total Telecom, the WCA recognizes innovation and excellence based on a set of criteria that reflects the dynamic nature of the industry.

In 2021, the  PLDT and Smart bagged numerous citations, including a nomination under the Best Operator in an Emerging Market category. The group was also shortlisted for the Social Contribution Award category for its #NoLearnerLeftBehind omnibus education program; under the Platform Award, for Smart’s GigaLife App; and under the Beyond Connectivity Award category for its FreeBee mobile application. PLDT FVP Katrina Luna-Abelarde was also nominated under the Women In Telecoms category.

Winners will be announced on November 1 at a ceremony in London.