Smart Communications Inc. demonstrated its 5G Standalone (SA) technology during South Korean artist j-hope’s “Hope on the Stage” concert at the Mall of Asia Arena on April 12 and 13, providing concertgoers with enhanced mobile connectivity amid a packed crowd.
The company said the event marked a key moment in its rollout of 5G SA, which enables “network slicing,” a feature that allocates portions of the network for specific high-demand use cases such as concerts or peak traffic periods.
Using 5G-SA-capable smartphones at the venue, Smart staff conducted live demonstrations of the technology, showing stable and fast download speeds even with thousands of people online simultaneously. Phones connected to the SA network also displayed a custom network ID — “J-Hope Concert” — in the top left corner of their screens, highlighting the dedicated service.
“This showcase marks a significant step forward in our mission to deliver a better mobile experience,” said Debbie Hu, Smart’s head of network operations. “It opens up new possibilities for immersive digital experiences that enrich our subscribers’ lives.”
The company’s 5G SA initiative builds on earlier launches of 5G Max and TNT’s 5G Max in Taguig City in December. TNT also introduced Max Saya 30, a prepaid data pack offering prioritized connectivity.
“All these efforts are about meeting our customers’ evolving needs and optimizing our 5G network,” said Lloyd Manaloto, head of Smart Prepaid and Postpaid Marketing.
Some fans at the event said the upgraded network made a difference. Elaine, a university student who attended the concert, said her parents had asked her to check in regularly. “My Smart 5G line made sure I could message them via SMS or Viber,” she said.
Elaine added that she was able to upload videos to TikTok and Instagram throughout the event without lag. “We saw the demo of Smart’s 5G SA. It definitely felt faster than my regular 5G phone.”
Nic, a concertgoer who attended the second night, said he appreciated the strong signal. “I’ve been to concerts where the signal was awful. It was stressful because I worried I couldn’t reach anyone in an emergency. This time, I felt reassured.”
j-hope, a member of the K-pop group BTS, performed solo hits including “Mona Lisa,” “Sweet Dreams,” and “More,” alongside BTS tracks such as “Mic Drop,” “Airplane,” and “Trivia: Just Dance.”
Ahead of the concert, Smart hosted a ticket presale and held a subscriber-exclusive giveaway. At the venue, fans could take photos at the Smart 5G Max booth, styled after the “Sweet Dreams” pop-up in New York.