PLDT wireless arm Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) is teaming up with the youth officers of Brgy Sabang, Baliuag, Bulacan to provide connectivity solutions to students in the barangay.
To ensure consistent access to connectivity for online learning, Smart has turned over 100 Smart Bro Pocket WiFi units to the Sangguniang Kabataan of Barangay Sabang.
James Cunanan, SK chair of Brgy Sabang, said that connectivity is the most important tool necessary for online learning in the New Normal.
“We are grateful to Smart for these devices, which will be given to the students who need it the most. During this time, we have seen the importance of internet connectivity, and we are indeed very happy that Smart has reached out to us to make it more available to everyone,” said Cunanan, who attended the device turnover ceremonies with Brgy. Sabang Captain Manny Katipunan, Smart Provincial Dealer One RS Operations Manager Ryan Francis Reyes, Smart Regional Dealer Mactelcom Account Officer Shiela Antiporda and Smart Customer Development Manager for Bulacan Gilbert Noblejas.
“This initiative is part of our efforts to support the learning needs of our students by providing them access to quality connectivity, ensuring that no student gets left behind,” said Smart FVP and Regional Head – Consumer Sales Group John Y. Palanca.
“We are happy to partner with our provincial dealer One RS, our regional dealer Mactelcom, and our barangay and SK leaders in Brgy Sabang in making a better world for everyone,” he added.
These efforts are aligned with Smart’s thrust in its “Live Smarter for a Better World” campaign, which highlights Smart’s long-running community partnership programs, enabling “personal revolutions” that spark lasting positive change through connectivity and CSR initiatives.
These efforts are also part of the company’s commitment to helping the Philippines attain the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG #4: Quality Education and SDG #9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.
Fastest mobile network
Smart Bro Pocket WiFi allow users to connect to Smart LTE, the fastest mobile network in the country according to third-party analytics firms. To date, Smart’s mobile network covers 96% of the Philippine population from Batanes to Tawi-Tawi. In Baliuag, 100% of Smart’s sites are already on LTE.
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, and has also cited Smart as the country’s fastest mobile data network for three years in a row now.
On the other hand, Smart also recently 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).
