Smart grows broadband plans by 132%

MANILA, Philippines -- The unprecedented demand for new mobile internet devices (MIDs) in the country, particularly tablets, has helped the broadband postpaid business of Smart Communications Inc. to grow by 132 percent last year.

Smart said its Smart Bro service offerings achieved its highest growth numbers ever.

Lloyd Manaloto, Head of Smart Broadband Internet and Data Services, attributed the success to the Smart Bro “FlexiSurf” line of postpaid plans.

“The public’s reception to FlexiSurf has just been unbelievable – we really hit a sweet spot,” Manaloto said.

FlexiSurf offers Internet connectivity bundled with gadgets that are trending.

Launched in May 2012, FlexiSurf mobile broadband offer gives subscribers the option to avail of the anticipated laptops and tablets on a 0-percent interest, 24-month instalment scheme without need of a credit card.

The Google Nexus 7 tablet, dubbed the best Android tablet in the world by popular US-based site Lifehacker.com, for example, is available at 0-precent interest for less than P600 a month for 24 months with a Smart Bro Flexisurf Pocket WiFi Plan 599.

Manaloto added SmartBro FlexiSurf also accounted for 40 percent of Smart Bro’s total activations.

“We expect to exceed our growth targets for this year with new devices joining the fold and with the continued expansion of Smart LTE,” Manaloto said.

Available in Plans 3500, 1749, and 1299, Smart LTE is the Philippines’ first commercially-available Long Term Evolution (LTE) mobile broadband service. The service is capable of speeds of up to 42Mbps through the use of a free USB dongle and can be used on an unlimited basis until April 30, 2013.

According to Rolando Pena, Head of Smart, PLDT, Sun, and Digitel Network, the Smart LTE is available in 46 cities and 69 municipalities nationwide