MANILA, Philippines - The number of Filipinos consuming data on their phones and tablets has increased ten-fold, thanks to the availability of more affordable mobile devices, continuous improvement of software ecosystems, and reliability of networks.
As the county’s leading wireless service provider, Smart Communications Inc. not only makes sure it stays ahead of the growing demand but also ensures its subscribers get to experience worry-free mobile browsing.
“This is part of our overall strategy to make the Internet and its benefits, such as information and knowledge, as accessible as possible to every Filipino. This is motivated by our awareness of how access to data and broadband services directly contributes to the growth and development of our country,†said Lloyd Manaloto, head of broadband marketing at Smart.
Manaloto believes that affordable mobile Internet services can have a huge impact on human development.
“By being able to access the Internet, an ordinary citizen can have access to services, avenues to develop and improve their knowledge and skills, and means to have their voices to be heard,†said Manaloto.
“Thus, we are committed to putting Internet in the hands of the common Filipino by coming up with affordable products that make Internet very accessible for them because we know that it will enable them to live more,†he added.
“In the past couple of years, we saw the surge in the number of people realizing the power of mobile Internet. They began to appreciate the things that they can do using a simple and ubiquitous device like a mobile phone. As the demand spikes, Smart makes sure that its subscribers are also educated on how to properly use data,†said Veronica Gabaldon, head of community care at Smart.
Last year, Smart introduced its anti-bill shock feature, which prevents customers from being overcharged because of unknown or unintentional use of data connectivity.
With the shockproof feature, Smart postpaid and broadband subscribers do not have to worry about unwanted charges as their monthly billing is automatically limited to no more than P1,200 and P999 a month, respectively.
“We wanted our subscribers to enjoy the power of mobile Internet minus the hassle. Our anti-bill shock feature gives them peace of mind that once they receive their monthly bill, they know that they will only get charged based on the amount of data they consume,†said Gabaldon.
In 2010, Smart rolled out its Mobile Internet Customer Education Program aimed at making subscribers aware of the use and benefits of an Internet-ready phone as well as the rudiments of mobile Web surfing.
Since its launch, the program has educated thousands of students, barangay residents, government officials and employees. It served communities in Metro Manila, Valencia City, Iligan City, Isabela, General Santos, Cagayan de Oro, La Union, Baguio City, Rizal province and Nueva Vizcaya.
Mobile Internet campaign in schools
To sustain its customer education campaign, Smart launched a school tour to educate Internet-savvy students who are also heavy data users on safe Web browsing using their mobile phones.
Among the roster of partner-schools nationwide, Smart has initially chosen 20 schools in Metro Manila to conduct a seminar on mobile Internet surfing. These include Adamson University, Arellano University, Central Colleges of the Philippines, Colegio de San Lorenzo, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde and National Teachers College.
“The youth today are very tech-savvy. They love to tweet, post updates on Facebook, upload photos on Instagram, and check their favorite websites from time to time,†said Dexter Chan, manager of Smart Internet marketing.
“Since they consume data a lot, the young ones especially the budget-conscious students need to be informed of how to properly consume data without breaking the bank,†Chan added.
During the seminar, students will be taught on how to use Opera Mini, a powerful mobile browser that makes mobile Web surfing easier and more convenient. This Web browser comes highly recommended for use especially with feature phones since it compresses the contents of a webpage so it will load more quickly.
Since Opera Mini also consumes less data, the Web browser works best with Smart’s Always On promo. For instance, Always On 20 gives subscribers 45Mb of data browsing which is more than enough for use in a feature phone. To view the complete Always On menu, go to http://smart.com.ph/volumeplans.
Back to back with the seminar is the “Smart Prepaid Jump In iQuiz: Search for the Digital Wizard,†an interactive digital quiz contest organized by Smart in partnership with Opera Mini and Cherry Mobile.
Participated by eight Manila-based schools, the quiz bee highlights the use of mobile technology. Huge prizes await not only the winning teams but also their respective schools.
The Smart Prepaid Jump In iQuiz is part of the Smart Prepaid Jump In campaign, which encourages the youth to embrace and enjoy life and all its challenges. Through the quiz contest that touches on various fields like sports, academe, music and arts, Smart Prepaid creates different opportunities for the youth to express themselves and further develop their skills and talents.
Through learning and education, Smart Prepaid can empower students to be more and live more.