Smart explains LTE on iPhone 5

Smart held a Q&A session earlier today regarding their LTE roll-out for the iPhone 5. They answered questions regarding the unli plans, data caps, additional charges, area of coverages, subscriptions and SIM provisioning.

What’s free and what’s not?

At the moment, Smart is providing free access to their LTE network to all postpaid subscribers under iPhone 5 Plan 999, iPhone 5 Plan 2499, Unli Data Plan 1500, 2000 and 3000.

This free unli access will last up to April 30, 2013.

What happens after April 30?

No exact details were given. By default, it only means they will stop offering it for free. How much the charges will be after that time has not yet been determined.

Will there be data caps?

Yes, it is stated in their Fair Use Policy. No bandwidth cap was specifically mentioned but based on existing LTE handset plans (Sony Xperia V LTE), it would be 1.5GB/month for Unli Data Plan 1500 and 2.5GB/month for Unli Data Plan 2000.

There was also mention of moderating the use of tethering the iPhone 5 to your laptop.

What if I reached the data cap?

You will be redirected to a page where you can subscribe to additional bandwidth allocations.

What if I bought my open-line iPhone 5 outside of the country?

You can call Smart to get an LTE-provisioned SIM card. Not available to prepaid users and Freedom Plan subscribers.

But I paid for my unlimited and I should use it any way I want!

There’s a provision for that in the Fai Use Policy:

Smart intends to preserve the integrity of the network in order to provide ALL subscribers with high quality mobile data services. Smart reserves the right to suspend or terminate service to customers whose improper or abusive use of mobile browsing may jeopardize our ability to deliver the best customer experience to other subscribers.

Where are the LTE hotspots located?

Here’s a complete and updated list of locations where LTE is available {click here}.

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Apple to announce iPhone 5 LTE with Smart & Globe?

In last week’s interview with Apple CEO Tim Cook, he revealed that they will be rolling out LTE support to 36 new countries by next week. Among the countries he specifically mentioned is the Philippines.

That could mean both Globe and Smart will be able to offer LTE connectivity to iPhone 5 subscribers of the respective networks. {via}

While Smart and Globe already has initiated LTE roll-out in some parts of Metro Manila, the iPhone 5 didn’t come with any LTE support by the time they launched it back in December.

Both telcos have explained that Apple is yet to approve their application for LTE support for the iPhone 5 and so until such time that Apple said so, they cannot offer LTE data plans with the handset. Once they get the go-signal, a quick tweak and software update will fix all that.

What is not know is whether the LTE connectivity will require additional cost from subscribers. Smart has started charging for LTE handsets like the Xperia V on Plan 1500 and Plan 2000 with 1.5GB and 2.5GB data caps. Meanwhile, Globe promised that they’ll offer unlimited LTE on the iPhone 5 once it is rolled-out but that has yet to be seen.

You can read our review of the iPhone 5 here.

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