Philippine mobile operator Smart Communications launched a new service package that gives prepaid 5G subscribers unlimited data when they drop down to 4G.
The “Unli 5G + Non-Stop Data” offer is an update to Smart’s previous Unli 5G package, which offered unlimited data to prepaid users only within Smart’s 5G coverage. Once users moved out of range onto 4G networks, they were subject to data caps, while postpaid users were not.
The new package essentially ditches that limitation, giving prepaid Unli 5G users unlimited data on both 5G and 4G networks. Smart claims it’s the first operator to enable this.
Smart launched Unli 5G in 2021. The operator says it has rolled out over 4,400 5G sites across the archipelago so far.
Smart’s parent company PLDT doesn’t break down its mobile subscribers by technology, but the vast majority of its subscriber base is prepaid.
In its latest quarterly statement for the period ending September 30, 2023, PLDT reported 55. 2 million mobile subscribers. Of those, only 2.1 million are postpaid subscribers. The rest are prepaid subs shared by Smart (20.4 million) and prepaid brand TNT (32.6 million). Both prepaid services offer 5G.
Smart prepaid users can buy Unli 5G + Non-Stop Data packages for one day, three days, seven days and 30 days.