Smart unveils new 3G service offerings

Leading wireless services provider Smart Communications Inc. unveiled yesterday new and expanded 3G service offerings and announced the commercial rates for its third generation cellular service which is now supported by an extensive nationwide network ready for High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) technology.

Starting May 1, Smart postpaid and prepaid subscribers with 3G-capable handsets will enjoy enhanced applications and extensive rich media content on a commercial basis. These include live TV streaming of two major television networks and 3G downloads of full music tracks and video clips.

Smart 3G users can now make video calls not only within the country but also to 3G subscribers of eight mobile phone operators in six countries that include Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Austria and Germany.

"With 800 cellsites covering 119 key cities and municipalities, Smart offers genuine nationwide 3G coverage. We’ve made the service very affordable to encourage usage. To pave the way for continuous improvement in the service, we’ve made our 3G network HSDPA-ready," said Napoleon L. Nazareno, Smart president and CEO.

Smart is not only the first mobile operator in the country to commercially launch 3G services, but also the first to use a 3G network with HSDPA technology.

HSDPA allows data calls with transfer rates exceeding one megabit per second and will allow better quality video streaming as well as enhance user experience of web browsing and file downloads. As Smart’s 3G cellsites are already HSDPA-ready, subscribers can enjoy the service once the devices are available in the market. Last March, Smart became the first operator in the country to successfully conduct HSDPA test calls.

When Smart 3G was launched Feb. 14, 3G services such as video-streaming, video calls, high-speed internet browsing and downloading of special 3G content were offered on a free-trial basis.

Under the introductory pricing scheme that takes effect May 1, Smart 3G rates are aligned with existing 2G rates while some services will remain free of charge.