What's Happening?
Smart Communications, the wireless unit of PLDT, has partnered with Blacknut, a global cloud gaming firm, to offer console-level gaming experiences to mobile users in the Philippines. This collaboration allows Smart and TNT customers to access over 1,000
game titles streamed directly via mobile browsers, eliminating the need for expensive gaming hardware or large downloads. The service is available through weekly subscriptions starting at PHP145, charged to the user's prepaid load. The partnership leverages Smart's network capabilities, which boast a median latency of 45.88 ms, as reported by Ookla's Speedtest Connectivity Report for Q1-Q2 2025.
Why It's Important?
This partnership marks a significant step in making high-quality gaming more accessible to a broader audience, particularly in regions where gaming consoles and PCs are less prevalent due to cost barriers. By utilizing cloud technology, Smart Communications is enhancing its service offerings and potentially increasing its subscriber base. The move also reflects a growing trend in the telecommunications industry to diversify services and capitalize on the booming gaming market, which is expected to continue expanding globally.
