Smart makes history as the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Philippines host!

In case you missed it, the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 in the Philippines recently ended with Germany winning all the way.

Smart is the Global Partner of FIBA Basketball World Cup

Smart x FIBA Basketball World Cup!

The historic global event was powered by FIBA global partner Smart Communications Inc. (Smart).

FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 recap

The opening day of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 held at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan set a new attendance record with 38,115 fans. 

The rest of the games were held at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City and the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay in Metro Manila. The event allowed Filipinos to witness the best players from all over the world and be immersed in world-class hardcourt action in the country.

To ensure that the tournament will be a success, Smart teamed up with technology partners Huawei and Ericsson to further expand and permanently optimize its LTE and 5G mobile network coverage across all venues. 

As a result, 59 percent of live attendees rely on their Smart-powered SIMs and eSIMs to share real-time updates and upload online content based on the company's internal report Phase 1 games from August 26 to September 3.

Smart also provided Prepaid SIMs and eSIMs at Smart Stores and accredited retailers near the venues and airports to make it easier for local and foreign basketball fans to check the games live on its network.

The top 3 apps used by fans during the games are Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

Whether at Araneta or MOA Arena, I enjoyed seamless and hassle-free connection while posting on social media. I was able to share content in real-time, which got several of my friends' attention, said Dan Reyes, a long-time Smart subscriber, who watched the Serbia vs China match at Araneta Coliseum and Serbia vs Lithuania match at MOA Arena.

 

Helping show how much the Philippines love the game, Smart transformed the MOA Ball into a giant basketball with a hoop for one of the most awe-inspiring basketball tributes ever seen. It measures 1.5 meters in diameter and 111 meters in circumference.

Smart also paraded an interactive LED billboard with a massive basketball ring and augmented reality integration along EDSA. It is even complete with a QR code allowing fans to view FIBA stars' signature moves on their smartphones.

Smart also has a 3D Billboard featuring the FIBA official mascot JIP at Bonifacio Global City (BGC).

Smart also helped in mounting a street festival at BGC for the FIBA Draw. Apart from the live viewing, fans were also treated to a concert, games, and other exciting activities.

Its subscribers were also given a chance to own a piece of basketball history with limited-edition Gilas Prepaid Cards and FREE collectible non-fungible tokens or NFTs exclusive to Smart subscribers.

During the tournament, Smart also hosted augmented reality activities like the Smart Quiz, Smart Shirt Blast, and Smart Power Dribble Cam for a shot at winning premium tickets, prizes, and limited-edition merchandise.

 

During the tournament, basketball fans trooping to the venues enjoyed awesome augmented reality activities, such as the Smart Quiz, Smart Shirt Blast, and Smart Power Dribble Cam for a shot at winning premium tickets, exciting prizes, and limited-edition merchandise.

The Smart LiveStream App

As a treat to its subscribers, Smart also gave FREE access to all FIBA games with Smart LiveStream App. All they needed to do was download the app and connect to a Smart mobile network.

Smart also introduced the GILAS POWER 399 prepaid data pack with  78GB valid for 30 days that you can use to watch the FIBA World Cup games at the Smart LiveStream App.

Smart Communucations Inc. and US-based Radisys Corporation, a subsidiary of Jio Platforms Limited also introduced new features during the Gilas vs. Italy game last August 29. It includes the 360 Camera allowing users to freely adjust their viewing angle by swiping across the screen, a Live Chat feature to make streaming more engine, and a Live Poll to ask the viewers' sentiments on the game.

Smart also provided Prepaid eSIMs to all the players, coaching staff, and delegates who flew to Manila for the tournament so they may stay connected with their loved ones back home.

FIBA and Smart renew global partnership

FIBA and Smart have also renewed their Global Partnership for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 in Qatar. It is a four-year extension that comes off the back of the excellent cooperation between both parties, as well as Smart's stellar promotional work for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.

In the next phase of the collaboration, Smart will reach out to Filipinos all over the world with promotional campaigns, while there are many more exciting plans still to be unveiled.

The new partnership agreement also secures Smart's further enhancements including additional exclusive rights in the areas of digital and live streaming. They will be the presenting partner of "Chat Parties" hosted on respective FIBA competition websites, the FIBA official mobile digital and media application for the competition, or another official FIBA digital media channel, which is accessible to users located in the Philippines.

Smart will also enjoy graphic integration on the live stream of official draws of FIBA competitions as well as youth competitions, in addition to being the presenting partner of the FIBA "Power Rankings".

The renewal was revealed during an announcement ceremony during the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Final in Manila.