Smart's 3G network rollout for 2006 will step up its drive to provide coverage in majority of the cities and a substantial percentage of municipalities all over the country.

In the last three months, the company has set up 3G facilities in its cell sites in business centers, malls, schools, highways, hospitals, hotels, resorts, and airports as well as residential areas.

Simultaneous with its network expansion, Smart has also been conducting enhancement trials on 3G. Last March 24, Smart successfully completed the first data test calls in the Philippines using an enhanced hi-speed version of 3G cellular technology called High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA). HSDPA allows data calls with transfer rates at least three times faster than the 3G networks currently being deployed in the country.