Smart Communications and Ericsson have completed a live trial of a cloud-based service designed to improve mobile data performance for subscribers roaming overseas.
The pilot tested Ericsson On-Demand’s Roaming Breakout service, which processes data traffic closer to the subscriber’s location instead of routing it back to the Philippines.
Tests were conducted simultaneously in the United States and the Philippines using services commonly accessed by travelers, including video streaming, video calls, and Web browsing.
During the trial, subscriber traffic was routed through a Google point of presence in Virginia rather than through Smart’s home network in the Philippines. Smart said the setup produced lower latency and faster browsing and streaming.
The companies also tested Messenger video calls between users in the US and the Philippines, as well as between the US and Sweden.
According to Smart, the smartphone using local breakout technology delivered a smoother call than the device using conventional home routing.
Speed tests showed download speeds of up to five times faster, lower latency, and smoother 4K video streaming when the roaming breakout service was enabled. The technology is intended to provide performance closer to that of a local SIM or travel eSIM.
“As customer expectations evolve, we continue to actively explore technologies that can transform how our subscribers stay connected while traveling abroad. This successful pilot with Ericsson gives us valuable insights into how next-generation roaming capabilities can help deliver a leveled-up experience for Filipinos wherever their journeys may take them,” said Roderick S. Santiago, head of network strategy and architecture at PLDT and Smart.
“By enabling a better roaming experience, LBO can also help us uphold the network quality and reliability that Smart subscribers have come to expect, not only in the Philippines but even when they are overseas,” he added.
Ericsson said the service uses its software-as-a-service core platform built for Google Cloud, allowing mobile core networks to be deployed in different locations.
“This successful pilot demonstrates how our SaaS Core built for Google Cloud, with its ease of creating core networks anywhere in the world, can help transform the roaming experience for mobile subscribers. By enabling data traffic to break out closer to where travelers are located, Ericsson On-Demand’s Roaming Breakout service can significantly reduce latency and improve performance,” said Bipin Melvin, Ericsson vice president and head of cloud software and services for Singapore, Brunei, the Philippines, and the Pacific Islands.
“Together with Smart, we have shown how innovation in roaming can help deliver a more seamless, local-like experience for customers wherever they travel,” he said.
Smart did not disclose when the service could become commercially available, which countries would be covered, or how it may affect roaming prices.
