‘Internet for All’ now a reality

MANILA, Philippines - Gemma Arellano, a teacher at Muntinlupa Elementary School, expects that the new school year will bring new learning opportunities not just for her pupils but for educators like her as well.

This school year, Arellano, together with the millions of teachers who welcomed students to school this month, is once again banking on mobile technologies to make their lessons more informative and engaging.

“Apart from delivering informative lessons, we should also ensure that our teaching styles and approaches will be able to guide the kids holistically,” shares Arellano.

Teachers like Arellano researches a lot on the Internet for engaging materials and interactive activities for their lessons.

“Mobile learning technologies like cellphones can serve as an educational tool. Partnered with a reliable connectivity, it can enhance our teaching skills as well as help many students in their studies.”

Recognizing that mobile phones and Internet are taking part of many people’s everyday lives, wireless leader Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) sees Arellano and her students, along with millions of ordinary Filipinos, unleash the power of the Internet to realize their potentials and affect others positively through its newest unlimited mobile browsing service.

“Smart believes that mobile Internet should not be a privilege of the few, but of everyone,” says Orlando B. Vea, co-founder and Chief Wireless Advisor at Smart. “We helped democratize mobile phones in the country and now, Smart is moving to address the growing demand of Filipinos for affordable mobile Internet access.”

With the Opera UnliSurf15 promo, Smart is enabling many ordinary Filipinos access a wealth of information, receive the latest news, participate in discussions, conduct research, seek employment and business opportunities, and carry out transactions and more, for only 15 pesos.

By making available the country’s most affordable unlimited mobile data service, Smart aims to help reduce and narrow the gap of the digital divide and improve the lives of Filipinos.

“Our aim of ‘Internet for All’ is not just about offering budget-friendly mobile devices, but also about affordable access to the Internet. Through the Opera UnliSurf15 offer, Smart helps bring mobile Internet connectivity down to the grassroots level,” says Vea.

To avail the promo, Smart subscribers simply have to text the keywords OPERA15 or OPERA60 and send to 211 (Smart Prepaid, Talk ‘N Text, regular Postpaid, Infinity). Then, users will receive the notification on how to download the latest version of Opera Mini browser one time from http://m.opera.com for free. Subscribers must access the Internet using the Opera Mini mobile browser.

The Opera UnliSurf15 promo is available to all phones – smartphone or basic phone – that can connect to the Internet.

“There might be people who feel that their feature phones are not capable to access the Internet because of the basic specs. Some might not even be aware that they have Internet-ready phones,” says Vea. “Whether it's a smartphone or a feature phone on your hand, you can access and enjoy the benefits of Internet with Smart’s Opera UnliSurf promo.”

Through this service, Smart makes Internet more accessible so ordinary people like Teacher Gemma and her pupils can have more learning opportunities and do much more with the power of Internet.
“At only 15 pesos a day, the Opera UnliSurf promo of Smart is perfect for budget-conscious students since they go online heavily to do their homework and research,” says Arellano.

Inspired by its "Internet for All" vision, Smart continues to work on providing affordable services to connect Filipinos to a world of opportunities and services.

“Smart believes that the Internet is the great equalizer. Through this service, we help create a socially inclusive society where everyone– including the marginalized– can learn, access services, communicate, and contribute something to the country,” ends Vea.