PLDT wireless unit Smart Communication Inc (Smart)’s wireless network has once again been recognized for delivering the country’s fastest download speeds by Ookla during the first quarter of 2023. This comes in the wake of Smart’s citation as the Philippines’ Best Mobile Network for Q1-Q2 and Q3-Q4 2022. To earn these citations, a mobile operator must lead in two crucial Ookla Speedtest Awards categories, namely Fastest Mobile Network and Best Mobile Coverage, for the same periods.
“Alongside powering Filipinos and gamers like Dokmen with Smart’s fastest speeds and widest coverage, we will also keep providing our Smart and TNT subscribers with value-packed offers that will enable them to keep in touch with their loved ones, stay entertained by streaming their favorite videos or playing their favorite games, and ultimately, live more today,” Francis E. Flores, SVP and Head of Consumer Business Group – Individual at Smart said.
“The Philippines is a huge gaming and esports market. In fact, our early adopters for 5G are gamers who are not only looking for speed, but also for latency,” added Lloyd R. Manaloto, Group Head/FVP, Corporate Marketing and Strategy at Smart. “Smart’s network delivers on all these metrics.”
Fast and reliable connectivity is essential not just in ensuring a leveled-up gaming experience, but also in supporting their professional growth as esports athletes.
Such is the case for Mark Ferry “Dokmen” Nazr of esports team Gamelab. “Fast connectivity is important so we can execute our strategies and moves in-game, without delays,” said Nazr, whose team Gamelab was among the top teams that competed in the recently concluded first season of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Development League – Philippines (MDL-PH), the official amateur tournament league for esports players.
With Smart as MDL-PH’s official local telco partner, the league serves as a breeding ground for promising amateur players to further bolster the dominance of the region in the esports scene.
“Tournaments like this enable us to hone our skills as gamers, and make our team known to more people,” Nazr said, adding that reliable connectivity also plays a role in other aspects of his life outside of gaming, as he also likes streaming videos on YouTube and browsing Facebook, for example.
Further enabling gamers in the Philippines are promos like the enhanced GIGA Games, a data-packed offer that enables Filipinos to play their favorite games, such as Mobile Legends. Subscribers can register to GIGA Games by logging into the GigaLife App, or by dialing *123#.
Smart is also a longtime advocate of esports development in the Philippines. Last year, Smart marked its 5th year of partnership with Moonton with the 2022 Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Pro League tournaments, recognizing the amazing talents of the Filipino youth in esports in the global arena.
Smart also launched the first all-in-one esports platform for Filipino mobile gamers, GIGA Arena to hone the passion, skill, and talent of Filipino gamers. The platform is open to all Smart and TNT customers and lets users match up with fellow players to compete in daily, weekly, and monthly tournaments for prestige and cash prizes.
Since its launch last year, Smart GIGA Arena has seen 1 million users joining exciting tournaments, empowering gamers to level up their gameplay. The esports platform has also launched more than 500 games in both solo and team categories and awarded a total prize pool amounting to Php 1.6 million.
To continue enjoying the best gaming experiences powered by Smart, subscribers are encouraged to register their Smart and TNT SIM at http://www.smart.com.ph/simreg.
