Smart prepaid subscribers may now purchase, pass on Internet credit

Leading wireless services provider Smart Communications Inc. together with Infocom Technologies Inc. has introduced a new product that allows the former’s prepaid subscribers to purchase as well as pass on Internet credit.

This new offering, called MyISP Load, enables Smart and Talk ‘N Text prepaid subscribers not only to buy Infocom Internet credit using their prepaid load but also pass it on to friends.

A user first needs to buy an Internet PIN (personal identification number) by downloading it through the Smart mobile phone. Every download is worth P15 and is equivalent to four hours of Internet use. This MyISP load, which is available initially for Metro Manila, can be used from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and has a validity period of three days

"MyISP Load addresses the need of those occasional Internet users who want a cheap and reliable Internet service. They don’t have to go to a retailer and buy a prepaid Internet card, they just download directly from their phone and if they want, pass it on to friends or. At P3 per hour, it is by far the cheapest prepaid Internet in the country," according to Manuel Castillo, head of Smart’s product development.

Vince Yamat, head of Infocom’s interactive business unit, said the service is a strategic partnership that provides their customers, who are Smart users, an integrated solution that caters to their needs.

A user inputs the keyword MYISP and sends it to access code 483. He then gets an SMS prepaid PIN containing a username, password and a specified dial-up number.

If a user wants to pass on a MYISP PIN to another Smart subscriber, he or she types in MYISP and the destination number where the username and password will be delivered.

In both transactions, the mobile subscriber SIM card of the one who sent the message will be debited the corresponding amount.

Smart has been offering a similar service for phone airtime loads. Last year, it introduced SmartLoad, allowing customers to buy airtime in "tingi" or in sachets. SmartLoad offered loads in variants of P30, P60, P115, and P200 and is today among retail stores’ fastest selling goods.

PasaLoad takes electronic loading a step forward by offering the lowest prepaid load transfer in the market and allowing subscribers to pass on phone airtime loads to each other.