Smart, along with its value brand, TNT, has been recognized by Ookla for having the Best Mobile Latency, delivering highly responsive mobile connectivity in the Philippines. This highlights the growing importance of low latency for activities such as gaming, video calls, live streaming, and digital payments.
Real-time connectivity for everyday users
Latency refers to the time it takes for data to travel from a user’s device to the internet and back, and it has become a key indicator of how responsive a network feels to end users. Lower latency helps ensure that taps, clicks, and swipes translate into faster on-screen responses, which is crucial for time-sensitive online activities
Independent analysis from Ookla
According to Ookla’s Speedtest Intelligence data for the first half of 2025, Smart achieved a median latency of 45.89 milliseconds across all mobile network technologies in the Philippines. This positions the network to support smoother and more immediate digital experiences in everyday use scenarios.
Ookla’s findings are based on millions of tests initiated by actual users throughout the country, providing a snapshot of real-world performance rather than purely theoretical benchmarks. The recognition highlights how network measurements gathered at scale can translate into practical benefits for customers who rely on mobile data for communication, work, and entertainment.
Why latency matters more than ever
As digital lifestyles evolve, latency has taken on greater importance alongside other metrics like download and upload speeds. For competitive mobile gaming and esports, even a few milliseconds can mean the difference between winning and losing, making low latency critical for serious and casual players alike.
For live streaming and video conferencing, reduced latency helps minimize delays, awkward pauses, and buffering, creating a more natural, face-to-face feel for conversations and broadcasts. Students, remote workers, and professionals benefit from quicker responses in online meetings and faster loading of shared documents, improving productivity in virtual environments.
Impact on digital payments and online services
Low latency also plays a role in the reliability and speed of online shopping, digital banking, and mobile payments. Faster network response contributes to smoother transaction flows, which can support more secure and timely completion of purchases, transfers, and bill payments.
As more adopt cashless services and app-based platforms for daily transactions, network responsiveness becomes an essential foundation for user satisfaction and trust. Consistent performance can encourage greater participation in the digital economy and support businesses that depend on real-time connectivity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What does Best Mobile Latency mean for Smart subscribers?
A: The Best Mobile Latency recognition indicates that Smart’s network, based on Ookla’s analysis for the first half of 2025, delivers relatively low response times for data traveling between devices and the internet. For subscribers, this can translate into more responsive apps, smoother calls, and more immediate interactions across a range of online services.
Q: How was Smart’s mobile latency measured?
A: Ookla derived its findings from Speedtest Intelligence data collected from millions of user-initiated tests across the Philippines during the first half of 2025. These measurements provided a basis for calculating median latency across all network technologies used on Smart’s mobile network.
Q: Why is low latency important for gaming and streaming?
A: Low latency helps ensure that in-game actions register quickly and that live streams or video calls proceed with minimal delay, reducing lag and interruptions. This is especially important in competitive gaming and real-time communications, where even small delays can affect outcomes and user experience.
Q: How does improved latency affect remote work and online learning?
A: For remote workers and students, improved latency can make online meetings feel more natural and decrease waiting times when loading shared resources or collaborating in real time. This contributes to better productivity and more seamless participation in virtual classrooms and digital workplaces.
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Emman has been writing technical and feature articles since 2010. Prior to this, he became one of the instructors at Asia Pacific College in 2008, and eventually landed a job as Business Analyst and Technical Writer at Integrated Open Source Solutions for almost 3 years.
