PLDT, Smart enhance connectivity at 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers

PLDT and its wireless arm Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) are boosting their fixed and wireless networks in Clark, Pampanga to support the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers.

PLDT and Smart have deployed Multi-Element on Wheels (MEOW) equipment and enhancing fiber, LTE and 5G connectivity at the Angeles University Foundation Sports Arena in Angeles City, where the games are held, and at the Quest Hotel, the official residence of participating players.

“Filipino basketball fans like us at PLDT and Smart are excited to have international basketball in our country again.  Physical homecourt support is still not possible at this time, but we are happy to provide the best connectivity to ensure that the games reach as many people as possible, and that we are all able to rally behind our national team online,” said Alfredo S. Panlilio, PLDT Inc. and Smart Communications President and CEO.

“We want to deliver a seamless viewing experience as we finally get to see our very own Gilas Pilipinas play for flag on the world stage once again.  Para sa Bayan, Puso!” added Panlilio, who is also the President of Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).

“This is part of our commitment to deliver world-class data experience across the country. To this end, we are always ready to work hand-in-hand with partners like Clark Development Corp. (CDC) in rolling out these services quickly and efficiently,” said Mario G. Tamayo, Head of Technology at PLDT and Smart.

Stream FIBA Asia live via gigafest.smart

Fans can support the Gilas Pilipinas Men’s National Team’s games on their mobile phones by using Smart LTE connectivity to stream the games live, available exclusively via the gigafest.smart platform. For the best streaming experience, customers can register to Double GIGA Video 99, which gives users 2 GB data every day for YouTube, Cignal, iWant, and NBA League Pass plus 2 GB of open access data, valid for 7 days. To register, choose Double GIGA Video on the GigaLife App, or dial *123#.

To date, Smart’s LTE network serves 96% of the population from Batanes to Tawi-Tawi and is the fastest mobile data network as reported by third-party mobile internet analytics firms such as Ookla® and Opensignal.

Ookla, the global leader in internet testing and analysis, named Smart as the country’s fastest mobile data network in the second half of 2020 after it achieved a Speed Score™ of 24.99, with average speeds of 20.08 Mbps for download, and 7.42 Mbps for upload, based on 3,915,679 user-initiated tests taken with Speedtest®.  Ookla has also cited Smart as the country’s fastest mobile data network for three years in a row now.

On the other hand, Smart has scored a rare sweep in the April 2021 Philippines Mobile Network Experience Awards* by independent analytics firm Opensignal, beating the competition across all metrics in three essential aspects of service: Coverage (4G Coverage Experience, 4G Availability), Speed (Download and Upload Speed) and Experience (Games, Video and Voice App). This is the first time an operator in the Philippines won decisively in all categories.

Smart also enables subscribers to enjoy their favorite content seamlessly with Smart 5G, the fastest 5G network in the Philippines by Ookla. Based on consumer-initiated tests taken using Speedtest® by Ookla, Smart has consistently posted the fastest 5G speeds for Q1 2021, with median download speeds of 190 Mbps – more than double the competition’s speeds for the same period.

For updates on Smart’s products and services, follow Smart’s official social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

*Opensignal Awards – Philippines: Mobile Network Experience Report April 2021, based on independent analysis of mobile measurements recorded during the period January 1 – March 31, 2021 © 2021 Opensignal Limited.