NTT Docomo, which together with its parent company has about a 20 per cent stake in the Philippines’ PLTD, announced it will provide network consulting services to the operator’s mobile unit Smart.

The Japanese firm will focus on improving Smart’s radio network quality in metro Manila. Smart is the largest mobile operator in the Philippines, with a 54.5 per cent market share.

In addition to advising Smart, Docomo said it will “leverage its expertise and track record of building and operating advanced mobile networks in Japan” to help raise the quality of networks around the world.

Japan’s largest operator has experience advising its partner operators in other countries. It has been trying to sell its 26.5 per cent stake in India’s Tata Teleservices since the beginning of the year. In 2009 it sold its 16.5 per cent interest in Malaysia’s U Mobile.