PLDT’s wireless unit Smart Communications Inc. and partner Ericsson have successfully conducted a live demonstration of Ericsson On-Demand’s Roaming Breakout service, marking a key advance in upgrading data roaming for Filipino travelers worldwide.
Testing ran simultaneously across the Philippines and the United States, focusing on common traveler services such as video streaming and calls. Instead of routing all subscriber data traffic back to the Philippines, the system directs it through a Google point-of-presence in Virginia, USA. This setup delivers lower latency, faster browsing and streaming, and an overall improved roaming experience.
Practical use cases included Messenger video calls between users in the US-Philippines and US-Sweden networks. Devices running Local Breakout technology achieved noticeably smoother connections compared to the traditional home-routed model. Speed tests confirmed up to five times faster download performance, significantly reduced delays, and uninterrupted 4K video streaming—creating an experience comparable to using 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.”
Bipin Melvin, VP & Head of Cloud Software and Services for Singapore, Brunei, Philippines and the Pacific Islands at Ericsson, added: “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. Together with Smart, we have shown how innovation in roaming can help deliver a more seamless, local-like experience for customers wherever they travel.”
The initiative underscores PLDT Group’s broader corporate commitment to world-class service delivery at home and abroad. It aligns with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 9 on industry, innovation and infrastructure, and supports national digitalization priorities. For the telecommunications sector, the breakthrough establishes a strong foundation for more competitive roaming solutions, better network efficiency, and improved customer retention in an increasingly mobile market.
