Philippines

Smart shows off 5G SA at j-hope concert

Enhanced mobile experience promised

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Smart 5G SA

Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) not only amplified the excitement surrounding j-hope of BTS’s “Hope on the Street” concerts at the MOA Arena on April 12 and 13 but also marked a significant technological advancement. The company successfully showcased its cutting-edge 5G Standalone (SA) technology at the event. It highlights a next-generation mobile network experience designed to maximize 5G capabilities for its subscribers.

The key advantage of 5G SA lies in its ability to perform “network slicing.” This allows for the optimization of network infrastructure for specific uses and applications. This capability enables Smart to offer a prioritized network experience for users in high-demand scenarios. A densely populated like a concert is a major example.

At the j-hope concerts, Smart provided 5G-SA-capable handsets to select concertgoers. This demonstrated the network slicing capabilities of its 5G SA network. Even amidst thousands of fellow attendees, these users experienced impressive download speeds and a seamless mobile internet experience.

To further emphasize the power of this advanced mobile technology, Smart also customized the network ID displayed on the SA-enabled devices to “J-Hope Concert.” It highlights the technology in action.

Towards a world-class customer experience

The 5G SA technology demonstration builds upon Smart’s recent launches of Smart 5G Max and TNT ‘5G Max’ in Taguig City last December. Both aimed at providing a more seamless mobile experience. Alongside 5G Max, TNT also introduced Max Saya 30, its first prepaid data pack offering a prioritized network experience.

Powered by Smart 5G Max in real-world use

The power of Smart 5G Max proved beneficial for concertgoers throughout their experience, from entry verification to staying connected during the event.

Elaine, a university student attending the concert, shared, “My parents wanted me to update them every hour since it was my first K-pop concert. My Smart 5G line ensured I could message them via SMS or Viber without any issues.”

She also highlighted her ability to share short videos on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram in real-time. “We also had the opportunity to see the demo of Smart’s 5G SA, and it clearly showed boosted internet compared to a device without SA. Throughout the concert, there were no lags, and I was posting the whole time during and after the show,” Elaine added.

Nic, a young professional who attended the second day of the concert, expressed his gratitude for the consistent signal on his Smart phone. “I have attended concerts where the signal was terrible, causing anxiety about potential emergencies. This time with Smart, I was reassured that my family could contact me anytime.”

With reliable and strong phone signals, concert attendees were able to fully enjoy j-hope’s performance, which included his solo hits and popular BTS tracks.

Enhancing the Fan Experience

Beyond the network technology showcase, Smart also focused on enhancing the overall fan experience for ARMY (BTS’s fanbase). Months prior to the concerts, Smart held an exclusive presale event for its prepaid and postpaid subscribers, offering them an advantage in securing tickets. Smart also conducted a ticket giveaway promo exclusive to subscribers.

At the concert venue, fans could visit the Smart 5G Max booth, inspired by the “Sweet Dreams” pop-up in New York, for photo opportunities and interactive experiences.

This event not only provided entertainment but also served as a practical demonstration of Smart’s commitment to advancing its network technology and delivering a superior mobile experience for its users, even in high-demand scenarios.

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Finance

UnionDigital Bank, Chubb partner for accessible insurance protection

Chubb insurance products now integrated into UD app

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June 17, 2026

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UnionDigital Bank and Chubb Philippines have partnered to bring accessible insurance protection to Filipinos.

The strategic partnership integrates Chubb’s insurance solutions directly on the UD app. These comprehensive solutions will be seen among UD’s suite of financial products. That way, insurance protection becomes more accessible for consumers.

The two key insurance products in the initial rollout are Loan Protect Insurance and Kaya Protect Insurance.

The first product is automatically included for eligible UD loan borrowers at no additional cost for the first three months once the loan is approved.

In the event of accidental death, permanent disability, temporary disability, or death due to illness, Loan Protect Insurance pays up to the original loan amount to cover 100% of the customer’s outstanding loan balance.

Any remaining balance is released to beneficiaries. Loan Protect Insurance is currently available for loans up to PhP 30,000 with short-term repayment periods.

Meanwhile, Kaya Protect Insurance will be available soon. This provides personal accident and accidental death coverage up to PhP 150,000 and is activated automatically by maintaining a low minimum balance of PhP 100 in the insured’s savings account.

The partnership between UnionDigital Bank and Chubb aims to address the protection gap, as according to a Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) survey, 48% of adult Filipinos are currently uninsured.

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Philippines

Globe, Starlink provide free data, messaging for customers affected by Mindanao earthquake

Globe deploys Starlink’s satellite-to-mobile technology for disaster response

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June 10, 2026

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Globe has partnered with Starlink to deploy its satellite-to-mobile service in Mindanao areas affected by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck on Monday. Provinces affected include South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani.

Deploying the service to support emergency communications and disaster response in the badly hit areas had demo permit approval from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).

This deployment marks Globe’s first use of Starlink’s direct-to-cell technology for disaster  and emergency response.

Over 700,000 Globe and TM customers stand to benefit from the deployment, providing them with messaging through WhatsApp and SMS at a time when it is needed most.

Globe will offer the service for free for up to 30 days as critical support to affected communities until the provider’s network is fully restored.

The network provider will reach out directly to customers to provide them with instructions to connect to the satellite service using their existing Globe SIMs and LTE-enabled phones.

The earthquake, one of the strongest in the country in decades, prompted tsunami warnings for several coastal communities in Southern Mindanao. It also caused network disruptions across multiple provinces, as commercial power interruptions impacted telco facilities.

As of posting time, Globe is working closely with local government units and local electric cooperatives to fully restore its services.

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News

realme launches P4 Series 5G, including Power with 10,001mAh battery

realme P4 Power becomes 1st smartphone with 10,001mAh battery

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June 5, 2026

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realme has officially launched the realme P4 Series 5G in the Philippines. This marks the first time consumers in the market can avail of the devices. In the past, realme has offered just models from the C, numbered, and GT Series.

The P4 Series 5G is a new lineup built around long-lasting battery life, along with reliable performance and 5G connectivity. Products under the roster are designed for users who need power throughout the day — and beyond.

The lineup consists of the realme P4 Power 5G, realme P4x, and realme P4 Lite.

The series headliner is the realme P4 Power 5G, which becomes the first smartphone in the country to bring a 10,001mAh battery.

This battery supports 80W Ultra Charging, 27W wired reverse charging, and a TÜV Rheinland 5-Star Battery Rating.

The device is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7400 Ultra and comes with a 144Hz 1.5K HyperGlow 4D Curve+ Display and 50MP Sony IMX882 main camera. It is likewise rated IP66/IP68/IP69 for water and dust resistance.

This variant is offered at a special promo price of just PhP 19,999, exclusively on the realme Official Shopee Store.

Meanwhile, the realme P4x comes with an 8,000mAh Titan Battery, 45W Fast Charging, and reverse charging support. It is available for pre-order via Shopee.

Lastly, the realme P4 Lite has a 7,000mAh Titan Battery. It also has a Military Grade Standard shock resistance (MIL-STD-810H).

The P4 Lite is readily available on TikTok for the 4GB+64GB variant at PhP 4,897 (SRP: PhP 7,499) and on Shopee for the 4GB+128GB variant at PhP 6,136 (SRP: Php 8,999).

The published introductory prices are available until June 10.

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