PLDT and Smart are expanding the horizons of scientists and researchers from Ateneo de Manila University’s Research on Optical Sciences, Engineering, and Systems and Ateneo Innovation Center. Through the PLDT-Smart Technolab, members of ROSES got a sneak peek into the future of wireless technology, opening up new avenues for deeper exploration.

“It’s vital to keep driving innovation and identifying the next wave of solutions,” said Radames Vittorio Zalameda, head of Wireless Network Strategy and Architecture at Smart.

“We’re collaborating on various proof-of-concept projects to boost infrastructure resilience and enhance customer experience.”

This visit is part of PLDT Group’s ongoing collaboration with partner universities under the Smart Wireless Engineering Education Program, which ADMU has been a member of since 2003.

SWEEP is the country’s longest-running industry-academe partnership, fostering the development of industry-ready graduates and technopreneurs.

“PLDT and Smart are committed to investing in the youth,” said Stephanie V. Orlino, AVP and head of stakeholder management at PLDT and Smart.

“For over 20 years, we’ve partnered with schools to produce graduates who will drive digital innovation and shape the future.”

The PLDT-Smart Technolab acts as a testing ground for the PLDT Group to explore cutting-edge technologies before they go commercial, potentially transforming the customer experience. Innovations like Open Radio Access Network, network disaggregation, extended reality, and advances in cloud and home connectivity are just a few of the solutions being explored.

“It’s exciting to see how communications technology can remotely control devices. This could be applied to automate tools in our own lab,” said Dr. Benjamin Dingel, ROSES research head and affiliate professor at the Department of Physics.

“For us, PLDT and Smart’s goal to connect people is closely aligned with our research into developing technologies that meet the growing demand for connectivity and push the internet into the future,” added Kent Gellada, a fifth-year student in Applied Physics with Material Science Engineering.

The visit also highlighted the opportunities in optical science research, particularly fiber optics, which powers PLDT’s nationwide transport network.

With over 1.15 million kilometers of fiber optic cables, PLDT’s extensive network connects nearly 18 million homes and supports Smart’s mobile services across the country.

Through SWEEP and initiatives like the Technolab, PLDT and Smart are fostering STEM education, supporting innovation, and promoting inclusive, quality education in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 4 and SDG 9).