PLDT wireless arm Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart)'s innovative Unli 5G offers, combined with the accelerated deployment of its 5G network nationwide, have driven 5G data traffic on Smart's network for the first half of the year.

Data traffic on Smart 5G more than doubled between the first and second quarter of 2021, while the number of unique devices connected to 5G also doubled as of end-June compared to end-2020, as Smart increased the number of 5G base stations deployed across the nation to over 4,800.

Jane J. Basas, Smart SVP and Head of Consumer Wireless Business, underscored the importance of making 5G handsets accessible to more Filipinos, in order to ramp-up 5G adoption in the country. "As we continue to build out our 5G network, we are also already seeing affordable handsets in the market. This will be key to 5G adoption, as we help our customers upgrade to 5G," she said.

Third-party analytics firm Ookla recently hailed Smart as the Fastest 5G Network in the Philippines for Q1-Q2 2021. Based on Ookla’s analysis of Speedtest Intelligence® data for Q2 2021, Samsung and Apple devices in the Philippines are also fastest on Smart’s 5G mobile network.

For Odiongan, Romblon-based businessman Jimmy Tan, Smart 5G has been helpful in boosting speeds in their area, and has been a boon to his business, especially as more transactions move online. "I have been based here ever since the lockdowns, and I have been able to do my transactions with banks seamlessly, thanks to faster connectivity," he said. "Better connectivity has also enabled me to attend webinars and online meetings. Smart 5G is also popular in our local gaming community, too," he added.

Tan agrees that to enable more customers like him to maximize Smart's fastest and widest 5G network nationwide, it is important to make Smart 5G-certified handsets more affordable and accessible in more areas. "There is really interest, especially among gamers," he said.

Smart 5G-certified devices
Smart has been partnering with device manufacturers in making 5G devices widely available and continuously expanding its roster of Smart 5G-certified handsets, which include Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, OPPO Reno5 5G, OPPO A74 5G, vivo V20 Pro 5G and Huawei Mate 40 Pro 5G, among others. Smart has also launched the country's first 5G-powered wifi device, Rocket Wifi, which has made it simpler and easier for more users with Wifi-capable smartphones, tablets and laptops to experience Smart 5G on a wide range of devices.

Smart also recently unveiled Signature Plan Lite, its most affordable postpaid plan with 5G devices at only P599 per month. Under Signature Lite with Device, subscribers are also entitled, with a minimal one-time cash-out, to choose from a wide range of Smart 5G-certified devices, which include the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G (P3,200 cash-out), realme 8 5G (P5,400), OPPO A74 5G (P5,700), and very soon, the Samsung Galaxy A22 5G (P4,840). Signature Plan Lite with Device also includes 2.5 GB monthly data, Unlimited Calls and Texts to All Networks, and 25 minutes of calls to any PLDT landline number.

All Smart SIMs currently being sold in the market are also 5G-ready, enabling customers availing themselves of Smart's data products to take advantage of Smart's 5G network nationwide, as long as they are using Smart 5G-certified devices.

For worry-free access to the country's fastest 5G network, Smart subscribers in Smart 5G-covered areas nationwide can also avail themselves of Unli 5G exclusively via GigaLife App, the one-stop app that enables subscribers to simply and seamlessly pursue their passions and purpose. Subscribers may simply log into the GigaLife App, choose All Data, select Unli 5G, then register to their preferred Unli 5G offer.

Also among offers available exclusively on the GigaLife App are the newly unveiled UNLI GIGA promos, which allow subscribers to choose between UNLI GIGA Stories (with unlimited Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Kumu) or UNLI GIGA Video (with non-stop YouTube, iWantTFC, NBA League Pass, and Cignal Play). The promo, which comes with 2 GB data for all other sites and apps for seven days for only ₱149, UNLI GIGA allows subscribers to be limitless when it comes to watching their favorite content on YouTube, as well as sharing posts, stories, tweets, and trends without worrying about running out of data.