PLDT's wireless subsidiary Smart Communications is breaking new ground in OTT (over-the-top) video experience for its customers, with the deployment of Firstlight Media's cloud native OTT platform.
Firstlight Media will provide a seamless, cross-platform video infrastructure. This enables differentiated video experiences and a whole new suite of cutting-edge capabilities, without the cost or complexity of maintaining separate, distinct systems. The new platform offers the elasticity, scalability, and innovation of the cloud, while combining cloud-based innovation and in-country service delivery to optimize consumer experience.
The new video infrastructure will improve the delivery of services like Smart GigaPlay, which currently features exclusive or premium premieres of content resulting from studio and production partnerships. These include live sports and music events, top shows, and first-run films. The new platform will provide subscribers with access to TV channels, on-demand content, pay-per-view, and subscriptions to exclusive live streams.
Joining Christensen in the signing ceremonies for Firstlight Media were Goutham Vinjamuri, Chief Operating Officer; Prabu Chelladurai, Vice President, Product & Customer Success; and Jim Vinh, Sales Lead for APAC; as well as Jake Mendoza, Customer Success Manager for PLDT.
The new GigaPlay app was launched on March 26, at the start of the newUniversity Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) season.
Firstlight Media’s OTT architecture uses a sophisticated, cloud-native technology stack to power the PLDT and Smart platform from end-to-end. This is expected to deliver significant improvements in performance, flexibility, agility, and scale, and offering best-in-class user engagement.
PLDT Inc and Smart Communications President and CEO Alfredo S. Panlilio
Video is one of the primary drivers of data usage in the country. We at PLDT and Smart always strive to deliver world-class video experience for our subscribers, whether they watch at home using their fiber connections, or on their mobile phones using LTE or 5G.
Arvin L. Siena, Vice President and Head of Technology Strategy and Transformation Office for PLDT and Smart
Using the scalability and the agility of the Firstlight Media platform, we are harnessing the efficiencies of the cloud to create a service that gives our subscribers greater control over the viewing experience, increasing their levels of engagement and improving consumer loyalty and satisfaction.
