Mobile broadband fuels rise in 'connected devices'

MANILA, Philippines - The number of connected devices is on the rise in the Philippines, according to latest data from analytics firm GfK — a development that wireless leader Smart Communications Inc. finds encouraging.

According to the research company, as of the first half of 2012 there were 2.5 million “smart” devices being used nationwide — a 444 percent increase from the same period in 2011.

Of this number, 82.8 percent are smartphones, 13 percent portable computers, 3.2 percent tablet devices, and the remaining one percent smart TVs and smart cameras. Smart or connected devices are gadgets which are capable of instantly sharing or uploading content online.

 “That’s a significant number of portable gadgets and home appliances that require mobile data connectivity,” said Smart chief wireless advisor Orlando Vea.

“Based on our own figures, we have seen the number of smartphones running on our network grow at an average rate of 21 percent every month from February to June of this year,” Vea added.

Despite the tremendous rise, however, a September 2012 report by the United Nations Broadband Commission reveals that mobile broadband usage in the Philippines is still low compared to global standards.

Ranked 96th in the world, only 3.4 out of every 100 Filipinos in 2011 have active mobile broadband subscriptions.

In comparison, top ranking countries Singapore and South Korea have more active subscriptions than subscribers.

Singapore has 110.9 active mobile broadband subscriptions per 100 inhabitants while South Korea has 106.1 active mobile broadband subscriptions per 100 inhabitants.

“Democratizing mobile Internet access is key in addressing the low number of mobile broadband subscriptions in the Philippines,” said Vea.

“This is why we have created most extensive line-up of products and services which will help bring the best Internet experience into the hands of every Filipino,” Vea said.

The leading telco recently launched Smart LTE (Long Term Evolution), the Philippines’ first and only commercially available 4G mobile broadband service which is capable of delivering speeds of up to 42Mbps.

Smart LTE is initially available on Plan 3500 and is bundled with a free USB dongle which can be used on home or portable computers.

Subscribers have the option to upgrade to a Smart LTE Pocket Wi-Fi, a device which enables Wi-Fi-capable gadgets to run on LTE speeds.

Smart also offers a full range of mobile broadband solutions such as the 3G High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) Smart Starter and Power Plug-Its and the Smart Pocket WiFi which offer speeds of up to 7.2Mbps and the 4G High Speed Packet Access Plus (HSPA+) Smart Rocket Plug-It and Smart Rocket Wi-Fi which are capable of speeds of up to 12Mbps and 20Mbps, respectively.

For postpaid and prepaid smartphone users, Smart has a number of time- and volume-based data packages such as UnliSurf, Always On, and Unlimited Facebook which are available for as low as P10 a day.

“With our wide array of services, Filipinos not only have the power of choice, but the power to Live More,” he said.

To view the complete roster of Smart mobile data products and services, visit www.smart.com.ph or call 1-800-10-LIVMORE (1-800-10-5486673).