TELECOM | Smart debuts 5G standalone tech at j-hope's MOA concert

Smart Communications Inc. rolled out its 5G Standalone (SA) technology during j-hope’s two-night concert at the Mall of Asia Arena on April 12 and 13, offering improved connectivity to fans attending the K-pop star’s show.

The mobile provider used the concert as a live demo of its 5G SA network slicing capability. The tech allows operators to dedicate parts of the network for specific use cases, such as large-scale events with heavy data traffic.

Concertgoers with 5G-SA-compatible phones experienced the feature first-hand. Smart changed the network ID of SA-enabled devices to “J-Hope Concert,” a move aimed at marking the occasion while identifying access to the upgraded service.

“This showcase marks a significant leap forward in our commitment to providing Filipinos with a better customer experience,” said Debbie Hu, Smart’s head of network operations. “This also unlocks a wealth of possibilities and immersive digital experiences meant to enrich the lives of subscribers.”

The activation followed the recent rollout of Smart 5G Max and TNT 5G Max in Taguig City. The company also introduced Max Saya 30, a data pack offering prioritized mobile access for TNT subscribers.

“Driven by a deep understanding of our customers’ evolving needs, all these efforts are geared towards optimizing our 5G network and bringing the benefits of the technology to more Filipinos,” said Lloyd Manaloto, head of Smart Prepaid and Postpaid Marketing.

University student Elaine, who attended the show, said she appreciated the network’s reliability during the event.

“My parents wanted me to update them every hour because this was the first time for me to attend a K-pop concert,” she said. “My Smart 5G line made sure I could message them via SMS or Viber.”

She also posted short videos on TikTok and Instagram throughout the night. “We saw the demo of Smart’s 5G SA, and it clearly showed boosted internet compared to a device that did not have SA,” Elaine said. “There were no lags, and I was posting the whole time.”

Nic, a young professional at the second show, said the steady signal stood out. “I’ve attended concerts where the signal was bad, and it made me anxious. This time with Smart, I was reassured that my family could contact me anytime,” he said.

j-hope, known as a member of BTS, performed solo tracks like “Mona Lisa,” “More,” and “Sweet Dreams,” along with fan favorites such as “Mic Drop,” “Airplane,” and “Trivia: Just Dance.”

Smart also gave fans a chance to win concert tickets through presales and promos. At the venue, attendees posed at the 5G Max booth, styled after the “Sweet Dreams” pop-up in New York.