PLDT, Smart link up with Foodpanda for free data access

MANILA, Philippines – The digital innovations unit of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. and Smart Communications Inc. has partnered with Foodpanda to provide customers free data access to the online food delivery platform.

The free data access to Foodpanda is made possible through Voyager Innovations Inc.’s digital platform SafeZone (www.safezone.ph).

SafeZone allows users to browse partner sites and apps with no data charges as sponsoring brands pay for their internet access.

“Given the reach of SafeZone, more Filipinos can now enjoy Foodpanda.

We are delighted to be their partner in allowing more Filipinos to enjoy their food delivery service with the added benefit of free data access. This is what the digital life is about – convenience whenever, wherever you are,” Voyager chief operating officer Benjie Fernandez said in a statement.

For his part, Foodpanda Philippines co-founder and CEO Mauro Cocchieri said the company expects to get more users through the partnership with Voyager.

“SafeZone will attract an entirely new segment for Foodpanda, that is, Filipinos who want to order food online but were previously put off by the data charges they would incur. While I am excited to expand our market share, I am inspired more by what it ultimately means: more Filipinos will be able to experience the convenience that Foodpanda offers,” he said.

Founded in May 2012 and headquartered in Berlin, Germany, Foodpanda serves as an online marketplace where individuals can choose from the widest range of food choices available around their neighborhood. It currently operates in more than 40 countries across five continents.

The online food ordering platform was launched in the Philippines in June last year and currently covers 1,000 restaurants nationwide.

Launched in February this year, SafeZone is available for free to subscribers of Smart, Sun and Smart Bro.

According to Effective Measure which provides measurement of digital audience, brand and advertising effectiveness as well as targeting solution, SafeZone is the top local community site with a total of 17.8 million page views from over 1.5 million active users in August.

To place orders without data charges, customers should go to free.foodpanda.ph and turn on the ‘Load Protect’ feature, enter their location to see which restaurants will cater to them, browse the available menus, and choose to pay online or via cash-on-delivery.