Globe Telecom ties up with Internet firm for e-mail service

Global Telecom has partnered with Internet firm Asiagate.Com to allow its customers to directly send and receive electronic mail through their cellular phones.

The two firms are using the newly developed wireless applications protocol (WAP) technology which lets ordinary Internet content to fit into a mobile phone.

With its limited memory and display size, cellular phones cannot display a typical web page, thus, the need for a special technology to make browsing possible.

Manuel de los Santos, Globe senior vice president for mobile business, explained that with the tie-up, Globe subscribers who have WAP-capable phones such as Nokia 7110 and Ericsson 320 as well as WAP access can read and reply to their e-mails without the need for a personal computer.

"The introduction of e-mail services through WAP gives our subscribers the edge in advanced telecom technology because right now, no other cellular phone provider in the country is offering WAP e-mail," he stressed.

Based on studies, 98 percent of Filipinos with Internet access use the service to check their e-mails.

The popularity of e-mail plus the desire by people for mobility, make it important for many to have access to their electronic messages at all times, according to Andrew de los Reyes, Asiagate.Com president.

"With this new technology, subscribers would be able to enjoy virtually all the regular e-mail benefits. WAP e-mail service has built-in reliability, security and support whether at home, in the office or on the road," De los Reyes added.

De los Santos, on the other hand, said that Ayala-owned firm has already put up its own WAP site for its customers. The WAP site features CNN.com, wireless games, room 33 and Wap.citiky.

Globe currently has over a million digital phone subscribers although the number of WAP users is still very minimal.

As more WAP phones become available and more affordable, Globe is confident that there would be more customers who will avail themselves of the service.