Smart achieved a significant technological advancement by launching the Philippines’ first 5G Standalone network in Iloilo City, celebrated with a vibrant free concert that attracted over 5,200 attendees on August 30, 2025.
What makes 5G Standalone different from regular 5G?
5G Standalone, also known as True 5G, operates on a dedicated 5G core network that delivers significantly lower latency, higher speeds, and increased capacity. This new technology establishes the foundation for more advanced capabilities and applications designed to enrich customer experiences. Smart implemented this network alongside major upgrades to significantly expand 5G coverage and capacity across Iloilo City.
How did Smart celebrate this technological launch?
Smart organized a spectacular free concert at K-Town Festive Walk Parade with the theme “Sakses Ka Na!” that drew over 5,200 enthusiastic attendees.
The entertainment lineup featured homegrown Ilonggo bands Kreonz and First Edition, rising local beatmaker DJ Young, and popular rap artist Flow G who performed hits including “Rapstar” and new tracks like “247” and “Sargo”.
Television personalities Jackie Gonzaga and veteran Ilonggo host Jordan Toledo energized the crowd with interactive games and exciting prizes throughout the event.
During the concert, Smart demonstrated the practical benefits of their new 5G SA network, showcasing superfast uploads and downloads, seamless streaming capabilities, and lag-free gaming experiences.
The company also offered special and exclusive promotions on 5G SA-ready devices from manufacturers including Honor, OPPO, Samsung, vivo, and ZTE to encourage immediate adoption among Iloilo residents.
What benefits do users experience with this new network?
The 5G SA network delivers significantly enhanced performance for dramatically improved connectivity for real-time applications. Gaming enthusiasts like concert attendee John Gallo also noted the substantial advantage for mobile gaming, particularly for titles like Mobile Legends where faster and more reliable connections provide competitive benefits.
Content creators and social media users, represented by subscriber Anne who braved the rains to attend, can now stream videos without buffering and share Instagram updates instantly wherever and whenever they choose.
For more information, visit Smart’s official website.
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.
