PLDT partners with T-Mobile

MANILA, Philippines - Dominant carrier Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) has tied up with German telecom giant T-Mobile to provide mobile service to about 3.5 million Filipinos living and working in the US.

PLDT president Napoleon Nazareno said that PLDT US Mobility’s partnership with T-Mobile would ensure nationwide coverage on the fastest long term evolution (LTE) network in the US.

Nazareno said the subscribers in the US would be connected to the largest mobile subscriber base of about 70 million subscribers of Smart Communications Inc. and Digitel Mobile Philippines Inc. (Sun Cellular) in the Philippines.

He pointed out that T-Mobile’s data network is said to have more capacity than any other nationwide network in the US.

 PLDT US Mobility general manager Enrique Yu said the new service would enable subscribers to get a US mobile number and a Philippine mobile number in one SIM.

“This allows their loved ones in the Philippines to call and text them at Philippine local rates,” Yu said.

PLDT senior vice president and PLDT Global Corp, chief executive officer Alex Caeg said the no-contract, prepaid service allows subscribers to choose from three monthly base plans of $25, $45, and $55.

“With more affordable calls and text messages and an array of Filipino-centric value added services, Smart World Mobile makes connecting between Fil-Ams and their family and friends in the Philippines easier and more convenient,” Caeg said.

“Smart World Mobile also gives subscribers 240 free text messages and free 30 minute calls to the Philippines every month, plus a 50-percent rebate on the base plan rate every third month,” he added.