Gamers get 'wired in' wirelessly with Smart LTE

MANILA, Philippines - True wireless online gaming is now a reality in the Philippines, with Smart Communications Inc. launching the country’s first Long Term Evolution (LTE) service.

During the launch recently held at the Newport Mall in Resorts World Manila, Smart put LTE’s abilities to the test by pitting Korean gaming champion Kim “Classic” Hong Jae in a round of Starcraft II, one of the most popular and best-selling games of all time, with Filipino gaming champion Pablo “Mski.Pobbes” Poblador.

The face-off between the two champions was the first and only gaming exhibition of its kind ever held in the Philippines, powered exclusively by LTE.

“Getting ‘wired in’ is the computing equivalent of being ‘in the zone’ in sports,” said Smart broadband Internet and data services head Lloyd Manaloto.

“Whether programming or, in this case, playing games, users need the full cooperation of their equipment—from the monitor to the keyboard and to the data connection—to reach new levels of greatness,” he said.

A live online gaming competition followed shortly between teams situated in Manila and at the Jump Experience Center in Cebu.

Known all over the world as the fastest fourth-generation (4G) wireless technology, LTE is the ideal Internet connection for hardcore online gamers. Its low latency, combined with its super-fast speeds, enables lag-free gaming.

“Lag, or also known as that split-second when your connection lets up in the middle of a kill or a shot, is a gamer’s worst enemy,” said Manaloto.

“Lag has always been a problem with traditional wireless connections but not so with Smart LTE,” he added.

Smart LTE is now available at speeds of up to 42Mbps on Plan 3500 (with a 10GB allocation). Use of the service is unlimited until Oct. 25.

For more information and a list of stores selling the Smart LTE Plan, visit www.smart.com.ph.