Smart Strengthens 5G Network in Siargao, Powers Historic World Surf League Championship Tour Event

Smart Communications strengthens its 5G network in Siargao Island as the Philippines hosts a World Surf League Championship Tour event at Cloud 9 in General Luna, bringing international surfing talent and fans to the popular island destination.

• Stronger 5G Coverage: Smart is enhancing its 5G network capacity in key Siargao locations, including Cloud 9, General Luna, Siargao Airport, and Siargao Seaport, to support growing connectivity demands.
• Historic Surfing Event: The Philippines hosts its first World Surf League Championship Tour stop, with Smart serving as the official telecommunications partner for the international competition running until November 10, 2026.
• Connectivity Offers: Visitors and residents can enjoy select Smart Unli 5G offers starting at PHP 90 for three days, alongside Smart Postpaid services and promotional freebies at participating locations.

The Philippines is making history in international surfing as Siargao Island welcomes the prestigious World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour for the first time. Supporting this milestone is Smart Communications, Inc., which is further strengthening its 5G network coverage and capacity across strategic locations on the island to help deliver reliable mobile connectivity throughout the competition.

Taking place at the internationally recognized Cloud 9 surfing destination in General Luna, the event runs until November 10, 2026, attracting professional surfers, spectators, media representatives, and content creators from around the world. As the event's official telecommunications partner, Smart is helping ensure that Siargao's connectivity infrastructure can accommodate increased mobile network activity during this important occasion.

The initiative also reflects the growing relationship between digital infrastructure and tourism development, particularly in destinations where reliable connectivity has become essential to everyday activities, business operations, and visitor experiences.

Expanded Smart 5G Coverage Across Siargao

Smart's latest network enhancements build on its established 5G presence across Siargao Island, with additional attention given to locations expected to experience increased mobile traffic during the international surfing event.

These include General Luna and Cloud 9, alongside important transportation gateways such as Siargao Airport and Siargao Seaport. Strengthening connectivity in these areas is intended to accommodate the communication requirements of visitors arriving on the island, as well as residents and businesses serving the tourism industry.

For athletes and event organizers, dependable mobile connectivity facilitates coordination and communication. Media practitioners and content creators also benefit from faster mobile data connections when uploading photographs, publishing event updates, and sharing video content with audiences worldwide.

According to Lloyd R. Manaloto, First Vice President and officer-in-charge of Smart, the improvements form part of the company's broader commitment to supporting Siargao's development.

“Siargao is an important tourism destination, and we are committed to supporting its continued growth through reliable connectivity. By further enhancing our 5G network in key areas, we are building on our established presence on the island to support the evolving needs of residents, businesses, and visitors who drive its local economy,” said Lloyd R. Manaloto.

He further emphasized the significance of Smart's participation in the international surfing competition.

“Our partnership with the WSL Championship Tour is another opportunity to help deliver meaningful digital experiences to athletes, visitors, and local communities as Siargao welcomes the global surfing community,” he added.

Supporting Siargao's Tourism and Digital Economy

Beyond the World Surf League Championship Tour, improved mobile connectivity has practical implications for Siargao's growing tourism economy.

Local accommodations, restaurants, transportation providers, and tourism operators increasingly depend on digital platforms to communicate with customers, manage reservations, receive payments, and promote their services.

For tourists, reliable mobile data makes it easier to navigate destinations, coordinate transportation, access online booking services, and stay connected with family and friends.

Connectivity also supports remote workers and digital content creators who visit Siargao while continuing their professional activities. These users depend on mobile networks for communication, cloud-based applications, and sharing their experiences online.

By investing in network capacity beyond the immediate competition venue, Smart aims to support these everyday digital activities while accommodating the additional demand associated with major international events.

Smart Unli 5G Offers for Residents and Visitors

To help subscribers maximize the enhanced network experience, Smart is highlighting select Unli 5G offers available to customers using compatible 5G devices.

These offers combine unlimited 5G data with non-stop 4G data, with packages starting at PHP 90 for three days.

Smart Postpaid subscribers can also take advantage of plans featuring Smart Device Link, which allows compatible smartwatches to share a subscriber's primary mobile number and plan.

This enables users to make calls, send messages, and access mobile data through their smartwatch even when their iPhone is not nearby, providing additional convenience during outdoor activities and travel.

Smart is also offering promotional freebies to eligible subscribers who avail of select services at designated Smart booths and participating partner stores in Siargao.

Building Connectivity Beyond the Championship

Smart's continued network investments reflect its broader efforts to improve mobile connectivity across the Philippines, particularly in destinations experiencing increasing tourism activity and digital service adoption.

The company has also received recognition from global network intelligence firm Ookla for Best Mobile Latency and Best Mobile Video Experience, highlighting its efforts to improve network responsiveness and mobile video performance.

As Siargao welcomes the international surfing community, the immediate priority is supporting connectivity during the World Surf League Championship Tour. However, the potential benefits extend beyond the competition itself.

For TechPinas, this development highlights how telecommunications infrastructure can contribute to regional tourism and economic opportunities. Stronger mobile networks not only help visitors share memorable experiences but also enable local communities and businesses to participate more actively in the digital economy.

With Smart continuing to enhance its network presence, Siargao's historic international surfing event becomes another opportunity to demonstrate the importance of connectivity in bringing Filipino destinations closer to the rest of the world.