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Smart wins Best Mobile Video Experience in PH for 2nd straight year, Ookla says

Smart Communications has been recognized by Ookla for delivering the Best Mobile Video Experience in the Philippines for the second consecutive year, based on Speedtest Intelligence data from the first half of 2026. The company posted a Video Score of 72.82, the highest among mobile operators, and highlighted its ongoing 5G network investments as a key factor.

By Tertius News AI Desk 1 outlet · 1 article Version 1 Coverage Aug 24, 2026 Published 1d ago

Ookla Recognition

Mobile services provider Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) has been recognized by Ookla, a global leader in network intelligence and connectivity insights, for delivering the Best Mobile Video Experience in the Philippines for the second consecutive year. The recognition, based on Ookla's analysis of Speedtest Intelligence data for the first half of 2026, underscores Smart's leadership in providing high-quality mobile streaming experiences for Filipino users.

According to Ookla's methodology, the award measures customers' real-world Quality of Experience (QoE) while streaming videos over mobile networks. The Video Experience award is based on three equally weighted components: acceptable video start time, uninterrupted playback, and full HD resolution. The Video Score reflects the percentage of users who experience video start times of less than two seconds, uninterrupted playback without rebuffering, and 1080p or higher resolution in the majority of their video sessions.

Smart posted a Video Score of 72.82, the highest among mobile operators in the country. For millions of Smart and TNT customers, this translates to faster-loading videos, smoother playback, and clearer high-definition streaming across popular platforms, whether they are watching livestreams, catching up on series during a commute, enjoying short-form videos, or tuning into live sporting events.

Company Response

Debbie M. Hu, First Vice President and Head of Wireless Networks at Smart, said the back-to-back recognition reflects the work of the network teams to continuously strengthen and improve infrastructure. "From expanding coverage in underserved communities to increasing capacity in high-demand areas, every enhancement is driven by our commitment to delivering the best possible experience," she said.

Lloyd R. Manaloto, First Vice President and Officer-in-Charge for Smart, added that video has become an essential part of everyday digital life for Filipinos. He noted that the recognition affirms that the company's network investments are translating into improved customer experience.

Network Growth

The recognition comes amid Smart's continued investments in expanding and enhancing its 5G network nationwide. As of end-June 2026, the number of 5G-capable individual devices on Smart's network increased by 30% to 12.5 million, representing 21% of individual devices on the network.

This growth aligns with Smart's commitment to network excellence and its broader alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goal No. 9, which focuses on building resilient infrastructure and fostering innovation.

How this outlet told it

Manila Bulletin as of Aug 24, 2026, 3:15 AM UTC

Framing: The headline emphasizes Smart's continued delivery of the best mobile video experience amid its 5G push, highlighting ongoing service quality rather than the recognition itself. It leaves out that the recognition is from Ookla and the specific award details. — Promotional/celebratory — phrasing like 'Smart continues to deliver the Best Mobile Video Experience' and 'underscores Smart's leadership' presents the award as validation of sustained investment.

Facts Included:

Smart Communications recognized by Ookla for Best Mobile Video Experience in PH for second consecutive year
Based on Ookla's Speedtest Intelligence data for first half of 2026
Smart posted Video Score of 72.82, highest among mobile operators
Award measures Quality of Experience (QoE) with three equally weighted components: acceptable video start time, uninterrupted playback, full HD resolution
Video Score reflects percentage of users with start times under two seconds, no rebuffering, and 1080p or higher resolution
Quote from Debbie M. Hu, First Vice President and Head of Wireless Networks at Smart
Quote from Lloyd R. Manaloto, First Vice President and Officer-in-Charge for Smart
As of end-June 2026, 5G-capable individual devices increased by 30% to 12.5 million, representing 21% of individual devices
Mentions PLDT Group's commitment and UN Sustainable Development Goal No. 9

Read the source article →

What was claimed, and who backed it

Each row is one claim, attributed to the outlet whose wording states it most clearly. Confidence rates how directly the source text states the claim — explicit and unhedged rates high; hedged, pieced-together, or internally inconsistent statements rate lower. It does not measure whether the claim is true. Status counts the distinct outlets we found asserting it — so a single-source claim can still show high confidence, and a multi-source claim can show medium. Every one of those outlets is named beside the status, so you can check the count against the list. For claims extracted before we began storing that list, the row says so: it names the outlet the claim is quoted from and states that we have not recorded which outlets backed it. Outlets wrote at different times, so a figure that evolves — a casualty count, for example — can legitimately differ between rows; check the "as of" time next to each claim's source.

Claim	Confidence	Status
ClaimSmart Communications was recognized by Ookla for delivering the Best Mobile Video Experience in the Philippines for the second consecutive year.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via Manila Bulletin as of Aug 24, 2026, 3:15 AM UTC
ClaimSmart earned the Best Mobile Video Experience award based on Ookla's analysis of Speedtest Intelligence data for the first half of 2026.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via Manila Bulletin as of Aug 24, 2026, 3:15 AM UTC
ClaimSmart posted a Video Score of 72.82, the highest among mobile operators in the country.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via Manila Bulletin as of Aug 24, 2026, 3:15 AM UTC
ClaimOokla's Video Experience award is based on three equally weighted factors: acceptable video start time, uninterrupted playback, and full HD resolution.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via Manila Bulletin as of Aug 24, 2026, 3:15 AM UTC
ClaimOokla's Video Score reflects the percentage of users who experience video start times under two seconds, uninterrupted playback, and full HD resolution in the majority of sessions.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via Manila Bulletin as of Aug 24, 2026, 3:15 AM UTC
ClaimDebbie M. Hu, First Vice President and Head of Wireless Networks at Smart, said the back-to-back recognition reflects the work of the network teams to strengthen infrastructure.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via Manila Bulletin as of Aug 24, 2026, 3:15 AM UTC
ClaimLloyd R. Manaloto, First Vice President and Officer-in-Charge for Smart, said that video has become an essential part of everyday digital life for Filipinos and that the recognition affirms that network investments are improving customer experience.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via Manila Bulletin as of Aug 24, 2026, 3:15 AM UTC
ClaimAs of end-June 2026, the number of 5G-capable individual devices on Smart's network increased by 30% to 12.5 million, representing 21% of all devices on the network.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via Manila Bulletin as of Aug 24, 2026, 3:15 AM UTC

Transparency & Audit Trail

1 outlet · 1 article consulted: Manila Bulletin 8 claims extracted Version 1 Written 2026-08-24