Smart Communications Inc will offer mobile Internet service for as low as P1 starting this month.
In a statement, Smart said the "PisoNet" will be rolled out this month initially available for Talk ’N Text subscribers.
The new service will allow access to all apps and websites on mobile phones for only P1 per 10 minutes, with the exception of video streaming sites and file-sharing activities.
The service is much more affordable than the standard P5 per 15-minute rate for mobile Internet.
“Now, one peso is all you need to access the Internet. PisoNet thus brings the many benefits of the Internet to more Filipinos nationwide, especially those who are accessing the Internet for the first time using their phones,” Charles A. Lim, Smart executive vice president and head of the Wireless Consumer Division, said.
“With this upcoming service, the user is not limited to specific sites or apps. They can thus access the mobile apps and sites that are most relevant to them at a more affordable price,” Lim added.
Smart expects PisoNet to sustain its growth momentum in mobile data, which has been expanding at a 73 percent rate from last year, as more Filipinos gain access to the Internet through their mobile phones.
PisoNet will be delivered through a pioneering mobile internet platform which enables Smart’s mobile phone data network to manage and shape the flow of Internet data traffic. As a result, network resources are used more efficiently to deliver the Internet services that people want.
“This platform unmatched by any other country in the world is a technical breakthrough that enables us to offer very affordable Internet ‘sachets’ sustainably,” Lim said. “This means we can keep offering best-value mobile Internet products for as low as ‘piso’.”
This enables Smart to offer data services in “sachets” without sacrificing consumer experience, allowing subscribers to pay only for the Internet services that they need on an “always on” basis.
The same platform also powers PowerApp, the telco’s suite of mobile Internet packages that allows subscribers to access Internet bundles—such as Social, Photo, Email, Chat, and individual apps—for as low as P5 per day.
“This is the Holy Grail for Internet advocates who want to bridge the digital divide while sustaining quality of service. And we’ve taken one big stab at it, using this groundbreaking platform targeted at one of the largest prepaid markets in the world,” said Dennis Mendiola, co-founder of Smart subsidiary Chikka, which developed the platform.
Telcos around the world face the challenge of connecting “the next 5 billion users” who are largely prepaid users with limited budgets for mobile Internet usage.
“Telcos around the world until now just offer data packages akin to ‘eat-all-you-can’ buffets at a premium price with little regard for efficient use of data resources. Our platform allows Smart to offer data at much higher levels of efficiency, thus making it possible for us to offer much more affordable prices,” said Mendiola.
To avail of the promo, Talk ‘N Text subscribers should text PISONET to 5555.
The PLDT Group’s total cellular subscriber base at end-June stood at 68.9 million, broken down as follows:
Smart, 25.6 million;
Talk ‘N Text, 28.1 million; and
Sun Cellular, 15.3 million.
The group’s combined prepaid cellular subscriber base stood at 66.3 million while its postpaid subscribers, 2.6 million.
- Interaksyon
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