As a leader of 5G development in the Philippines, Smart recently launched 5G Max. Smart’s Chief Operating Officer, Anastacio ‘Boy’ Martirez, explains how this is being achieved with three major upgrades, which aim to scale up 5G adoption in the country so subscribers can unlock more life-enhancing experiences.

Firstly, via faster speeds (exceeding 500 Mbit/s) for seamless streaming and lag-free gaming. Secondly, achieving ultra-low latency (below 10 milliseconds) for real-time interactions. And thirdly, by providing more reliable and stable connectivity through ‘Smart 5G Priority Zones’ proprietary technology.

“To effectively communicate the differentiated network experience that 5G Max offers, we enabled our subscribers to experience it firsthand. We accomplished this by gathering our major device and content partners like Netflix, HBO Max, TikTok, and Mobile Legends, among others, in an experiential showcase that is open to the public,” said Martirez.

This translates to more productivity, more convenience, and more immersive experiences for subscribers making 5G an essential tool for everyday life, including:

• More productivity at work or school – crystal-clear video calls, online meetings, instant access to cloud-based apps.
• More convenience with access to online services – secure and fast transactions on mobile wallets, ride-hailing apps, online shopping platforms.
• More immersive experiences – seamless streaming of ultra-HD videos and lag-free mobile gaming on the go (wherever, whenever). 

Smart is also leveraging AI in 5G to improve network efficiency with  AI-driven analytics to help predict and prevent congestion, and is using AI for hyperpersonalized services, smart recommendations, and to push subscriber promos and rewards that suit the subscriber’s lifestyle.

“By integrating AI into our services, our goal is to be more efficient and responsive in addressing the needs of our subscribers,” stated Martirez. “We at Smart are committed to bringing all these meaningful innovations to your fingertips to shape a more connected and ‘smarter’ Philippines.”

Smart Money was the world’s first mobile money deployment, launched by Smart in 2001. “It was ahead of its time, and now, we want to revive it and reclaim our legacy by offering a much better customer experience,” he said.

“We’ve rolled it out within our group to learn more insights before we reintroduce it commercially. Armed with 5G, we are now in a much better position to provide Filipinos with a faster, smoother, and more secure telco-driven payments solution. We’re also integrating AI to provide personalized financial insights and services, making the experience more intuitive and ‘smart’ for users.”