Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) widens its lead in Davao, winning all categories in the latest Philippines Mobile Network Experience Awards[1] by independent mobile analytics firm Opensignal. The latest recognition attests to the Company’s unrelenting network build out, helping deliver superior customer experience.
The report, which covers January 1 to March 31, 2021, showed Smart 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).
"In this latest report and analysis, we analyzed 17 regions in the Philippines, and Smart was a winner in every award, in every category, in every one of the regions, which is truly outstanding, and demonstrates a lot of progress in that very unique and challenging year that we've been facing," said Andy Burns, Opensignal COO.
"Smart’s clean sweep at the national level is largely reflected in the regional results. Smart racked up a remarkable 91 outright wins out of a possible 102 awards across 17 regions," said Sam Fenwick, Opensignal senior analyst. Opensignal also noted that this is the first time an operator in the Philippines won decisively in all categories on the national level.
(Best Experience in Davao)
In Davao, Smart is the clear winner in Video Experience (59.1 pts), Download Speed Experience (13.8 Mbps), Games Experience (40.9 pts), Upload Speed Experience (4 Mbps), Voice App Experience (72 pts) and 4G Availability (84.3%).
"Apart from the fact that we have been able to strengthen our brand equity via our Fastest Data Network proposition, what's even more important is that we are able to substantiate the claim with better experiences for our customers. We do a lot of data innovation, but those data innovations will only make sense if they are enabled by a powerful network and a better experience," said Jane J. Basas, Smart SVP and Head of Consumer Wireless Business.
Among those who would benefit from better connectivity are artists from Mindanao who have turned to the Internet in the new normal, such as renowned Mindanao artist Rey Mudjahid “Kublai” P. Millan and his team Lawig Diwa, Inc., who were behind the successful online staging of last year's Mindanao Art Fair, Exhibit, and Conference (MindanaoArt 2020), one of the biggest art events in Southeast Asia.
Millan recalled that in the early months of the lockdown, several artists asked for assistance because many of their projects and sources of income were impacted by pandemic-related restrictions. “We had to be creative and responsive to the current situation. So, we thought of virtual museums,” he added.
Held in October last year, MindanaoArt 2020 gathered over 200 artists from Davao City, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Caraga region, North Cotabato, General Santos City, Bukidnon province, Cagayan de Oro City, Iligan City, and Zamboanga Peninsula.
The virtual museums are composed of 10 museums with architectural designs inspired by iconic symbols of Mindanao including the Tapayan, Uyayi, Tambol, Kaban, Lamin, Balangay, Dabakan, Kulintang, Vinta, and Bakaw. According to Millan, by logging into the portal, users will be directed to a virtual museum where they can walk through and see different artworks in detail. It will reopen by August in time for MindanaoArt 2021.
“Imagine what the pandemic has brought us, unlimited space for arts. It created a whole new perspective, a whole new level of art that we were not able to think of before the pandemic. This is really good for the artists, but the audience has to know how to view the artworks online because there’s a difference at looking at the arts face-to-face. I think it opens to a whole new better world,” he said.
This is aligned with Smart's "Live Smarter for a Better World" campaign, which emphasizes how big and small efforts by individuals can contribute to generating lasting positive impact to society, highlighting the importance of Smart's network and long-running community partnership and CSR programs in keeping Filipinos connected and empowered.
Supporting various passion points with Double GIGA
Enabling subscribers to enjoy more of their favorite online activities, Smart recently launched Double GIGA, which offers twice the data for their passion apps.
Double GIGA Video 99 now comes with 2 GB per day for streaming on YouTube, Cignal Play, iWantTFC, and NBA League Pass – plus 2 GB open access data for Php99 valid for 7 days.
Subscribers can also avail themselves of Double GIGA Stories for more sharing on social media; Double GIGA Study and Double GIGA Work for more online productivity; and Double GIGA Games to enjoy more of today's top mobile games. Customers can register to Double GIGA via the GigaLife App or by dialing *123#.
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 (PR)