A visitor arriving in Siargao may need a phone connection well before there’s a surf clip to share. There’s the ride to General Luna to arrange, the booking to confirm with a resort and, sometimes, a payment to send before leaving the port. Those stops help explain where Smart Communications is strengthening its 5G network on the island.
Smart, the wireless arm of PLDT Inc., says it is adding coverage and capacity in areas where it already operates, including Siargao Airport, Siargao Seaport and Cloud 9 in General Luna. The work coincided with the Philippines Pro, the first Philippine stop on the World Surf League Championship Tour. Smart served as the event’s official telecommunications partner.
Cloud 9 drew an international audience for the competition, which concluded on November 3. Athletes, spectators, journalists and content creators all had reasons to get online from the same stretch of coast. For people who live and work there, the busiest part of the day might come long after the last heat, when guests message about rooms, ask for transport or settle their bills digitally.
“Siargao is an important tourism destination, and we are committed to supporting its continued growth through reliable connectivity. By further enhancing our 5G network in key areas, we are building on our established presence on the island to support the evolving needs of residents, businesses, and visitors who drive its local economy,” said Lloyd R. Manaloto, First Vice President and officer-in-charge of Smart.
Mobile data for a Siargao trip
For travelers bringing a 5G-compatible phone, Smart lists select Unli 5G offers starting at ₱90 for three days. These include unlimited 5G data and what Smart calls non-stop 4G data. That gives visitors an option for a short stay, whether they need to work remotely, get in touch with family or upload footage from Cloud 9.
Smart also offers postpaid plans with Smart Device Link. The feature lets customers share their primary mobile number and plan with a compatible smartwatch for calls, texts and mobile data, even when their iPhone is out of reach.
Smart’s event announcement also mentioned freebies for subscribers taking up select offers at designated booths and partner stores on the island. Separately, the company cited Ookla recognition for Best Mobile Latency and Best Mobile Video Experience. For local operators taking bookings and payments, the more relevant part of the announcement is where the network work is happening: at the island’s gateways as well as its best-known surf spot.
