Smart, Ericsson and Meta tweak network to improve Messenger call quality

Details: John Tanner; Category: Operators; 08 April 2026; 4843 views

Smart Communications, Ericsson and Meta announced on Tuesday they have jointly optimised Smart’s network to support better-quality OTT voice and video calls for Meta’s Messenger app in the Philippines.

Ericsson and Smart said they fine-tuned key technical parameters in Smart's live network in the Luzon area of the Philippines in collaboration with Meta’s local team to enhance network performance.

The result: 24.6% lower round-trip time for Messenger calls, 55% lower packet loss for fewer interruptions, and clearer video at nearly 20% higher video bitrate, all of which enable more stable and reliable real-time conversations.

“These improvements mean [customers’] video calls over Messenger are sharper, and they can enjoy continuous calls with their loved ones,” said Debbie M. Hu, head of network at Smart Communications.

Hu added that the network enhancements also benefit other OTT voice and video call apps, not just Messenger.

Daniel Ode, head of Singapore, Philippines and Brunei at Ericsson, added that the initiative “demonstrates how focused global technical expertise, decades of trusted telco leadership, and platform-level coordination can come together to produce tangible, customer-facing improvements — clearer audio, fewer interruptions, and a more dependable calling experience that Filipinos can rely on every day.”