Smart Communications ‘broadbands’ stadium for big Azkals match

Now that the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City is "broadband-ready," football fans and supporters all over the world can get up-to-the-minute updates when the Philippine Azkals face the Mongolian football team on February 9. Leading wireless services provider Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) provided broadband services for the stadium as a way of supporting the efforts of the local organizers and the local government to make the stadium meet international standards. The Panaad Park and Sports Complex is expected to accommodate more than 15,500 fans and supporters who will watch the highly-anticipated Asian Football Federation (AFF) Challenge Cup qualifier. “We acknowledge the importance of this sporting event, not just to the local fans of the sport but also to the international football community," said Danilo Mojica, head of Smart’s Wireless Consumer Division. Smart is a known supporter of sports in the country. It has launched projects for the promotion of sports like basketball, boxing, marathon, among others. Smart recently pledged P80 million to the Philippine Football Federation for a 10-year football development program aimed at forming a national football league and providing opportunities for skilled football players. Smart provided the high-speed wireless broadband Internet at the stadium’s Media Center to help media people transmit data quickly during the highly-anticipated match. Smart also fortified its cellular and broadband coverage on the ground to accommodate the huge volume of voice calls, SMS and mobile data connection transactions during the game. "We are glad to provide broadband connectivity to our friends in the media who will be breaking the news to the world. We are also ensuring continuous quality communication and data services for the thousands of fans who will be gathering for the game," he added. “We are expecting our subscribers to generate real time buzz on the Philippines-Mongolia match come Wednesday. They will be making lots of calls and texts. But more notably, they will be posting live updates and uploading photos and videos through social networking sites," Mojica said. “The Philippines is becoming an emerging Football powerhouse and the world will be watching come Wednesday," Mojica said. "Our network is ready to help the Azkals fans enjoy their experience and share their football fever with the rest of the world," he said. “This is also one of our ways in helping promote and propagate football in the country," he added. “We have rolled out Multi Element on Wheels (MEOW) at the site. It is essentially a cell site mounted on a six-wheeler truck," said Mario G. Tamayo, head of Smart’s Technical Services Division. “The MEOW is an additional way of ensuring improved quality of service, more capacity and better customer experience during high-traffic events," Tamayo said. Smart provides cellular and broadband coverage to 1,629 cities and municipalities in the country. Subscribers get access to high-quality mobile and broadband services such as voice, SMS, wireless Internet, mobile banking, financial services, info-on-demand and other value-added services. (Press Release)