PLDT, Uber to give riders free Wi-Fi

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) has partnered with ride-sharing service provider Uber to provide free Wi-Fi in vehicles and special promotions to riders.

In a statement issued yesterday, Smart Communications Inc. said the service would be available for Uber’s premium service starting today and in the coming months for the more affordable UberX vehicles.

Smart subscribers in Metro Manila who are first-time users of the application can get two free Uber rides up to P300 each from today until Sept. 30.

Uber partner drivers, meanwhile, can avail themselves of prepaid and postpaid voice and data packages, bundles and add-ons under the partnership.

Smart is also making exclusive phone offers to Uber drivers through an online store using the Tack This! e-commerce platform of PLDT’s digital unit Voyager Innovations. Uber partner drivers can also access the online shop for their SIM cards, special handsets and tablets.

“We’re excited to partner with Uber,?the world’s leading?technology company that is transforming urban mobility, to bring its innovative digitally enabled service?to more commuters in the Philippines. Filipinos are early adopters of new technology and through this partnership with Uber, we’re providing our?subscribers the opportunity to make their?ride experience even more convenient and enjoyable,” PLDT and Smart chairman Manuel Pangilinan said.

Mike Brown, regional general manager for Uber Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand,?said Smart could best provide the service to Uber riders. 

 “In Smart, Uber has found the perfect fit to realize our common vision of providing an unrivaled user experience built on a strong foundation of reliability, convenience and network efficiency,” Brown said.