Smart offers bundled data for travellers

MANILA, Philippines - Smart Communications Inc., the flagship wireless arm of dominant carrier Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT), is set to unveil next month the country’s first data roaming bundles to benefit over six million Filipino travellers.

Smart International Services and Global Access first vice president/ Group head Tina Mariano said the company would make available the All-Day Facebook Abroad, All-Day Chat Abroad and All-Day Email Abroad to postpaid subscribers starting next month.

Mariano said subscribers could choose and enjoy the services essential to their lifestyle, whether it is Facebook, mobile chat apps, or email, for as low as P250 per day.

Smart’s new data roaming bundles were introduced during the 22nd Travel Tour Expo (TTE) organized by the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA).

According to Mariano, competitive pricing among airlines and travel agencies over the past years has encouraged more Filipinos from different walks of life to travel abroad.

“This positive trend has opened up new ways for Smart, as the leader in mobile services, to serve Filipinos and keep them connected for a more enjoyable trip,” she added.

“Data roaming is the new frontier for Smart’s international services, and by rolling out data roaming products in even more affordable ‘sachets,’ we allow Filipino travelers to stay in touch with their loved ones as well as access valuable online information on the go – without making a dent on their budget,” Mariano said.

Smart postpaid subscribers who need constant access to their Facebook account on their mobile devices abroad may avail of the All-Day Facebook Abroad bundle.

This would allow them to share real-time updates on their trips, upload photos instantly, and keep abreast with their contacts through their newsfeed – for only P350 per day.

On the other hand, subscribers who want to stay active on their favorite mobile chat apps to keep in touch with their social circle may enjoy the All-Day Chat Abroad bundle, which gives access to 10 popular chat apps such as Line, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Viber, WeChat, BBM, Chikka, Kakao, Babble and Oist! – for only P250 per day.

Aside from these data roaming bundles, Smart postpaid subscribers may still subscribe to All-Day SurfAbroad, which offers 24 hours of access to mobile apps and websites, including search engines, social networking sites, navigation sites and chat apps – with the exception of streaming and peer-to-peer file sharing for only P550 per day.