Smart Communications, its parent company PLDT, and Cignal recently announced an exclusive partnership with Fox Networks Group Asia which will enable subscribers to stream movies and TV programs from the extensive catalogue of global entertainment leader Fox.
For Smart subscribers, they can download the Fox + app from the App Store and Google Play and enjoy a 30-day free trial. They will have access to 11,000 hours of content, including the earliest non-cinematic release of Hollywood blockbusters like “Deadpool” and “The Revenant” – in high definition on any device, at any time.
They can also binge-watch their favorite TV series like “The Walking Dead” and “Homeland.” They will be able to see the latest episodes on the same day as the US airing.
Moreover, they can watch live sports events like the NBA on the Fox + app. And with Smart’s improved network, subscribers can enjoy Fox + while on the move.
“As we improve our network, we also continue to grow the library of popular video content that our subscribers can access. We are also cooking up special packages that will make video streaming more enjoyable for them. All these efforts – network improvement, content partnerships, and the provision of value-packed service offers – have the goal of giving our customers a superior digital experience,” said PLDT and Smart chief revenue officer Eric R. Alberto.
Smart has been expanding its content portfolio via partnerships with the likes of iflix, Netflix, Cignal, and ABS-CBN’s iWantTV.
“Filipinos now have a growing appetite for relevant content that they can access anytime, anywhere. As they increase their consumption of digital content, we are making sure that our network is strong enough to support not just their current requirements, but their future needs as well,” Alberto said.
This, he said, is why Smart has invested heavily in the accelerated deployment of its LTE (Long Term Evolution) sites. LTE delivers superior experience for users, particularly for mobile data. It can also be quickly upgraded to LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), which can provide even faster speeds and greater capacity to subscribers who are using LTE SIMs on LTE-capable handsets.
Smart has committed to the National Telecommunications Commission to make LTE progressively available to 95% of the country’s cities and municipalities by the end of 2018.
For 2017, Smart targets to roll out 2,165 sites with LTE in low spectrum bands and 3,568 sites in high spectrum bands. Low frequency bands provide better indoor coverage, while high-frequency bands increase the capacity of cell sites to handle heavier call, SMS, and mobile data traffic.
Alberto encouraged Filipinos to use an LTE device to better enjoy their upgraded digital experience with Smart. “If you want to watch high-definition movies on the Fox + app and experience seamless streaming, LTE is the way to go,” he said.
To speed up the adoption of LTE handsets, Smart has struck exclusive bundling deals with popular device makers including Vivo, Oppo, O+ USA, MyPhone, and Starmobile. Smart offers LTE devices across different price points.