Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

HEADLINES

New content, digital services to further drive Smart’s ‘data explosion’ in 2015

Smart Communications, the mobile subsidiary telecommunications firm PLDT, posted strong growth in mobile data usage among its subscribers in the first half of 2015, fueled initially by a free Internet promo and then sustained by game-changing content and digital service offerings and the rapid growth in smartphone adoption.

Mobile data traffic passing through Smart’s mobile network surged almost 170% year-on-year for the first half of the year. This means more users are accessing the Internet on their mobile devices, and are reaping the benefits of living the ‘Smart Life’ by communicating and consuming multimedia content and digital services wherever they go.

“This ‘data explosion’ started when we introduced our ‘FREE Internet’ promo last year which aimed to give our subscribers an opportunity to try out various Internet and digital services,” said Ariel P. Fermin, Executive Vice President and Head of Consumer Business at Smart. “We see this trend continuing for the remainder of the year as we introduce more engaging content and digital services coupled with very affordable data service bundles that bring in added revenues for the mobile group.”

Some of these new digital initiatives include the Free Instagram offer for Smart subscribers, as well as the Free Facebook promo for Sun subscribers, which enable users to communicate not just through calls and texts, but via these new digital services as well. These offers satisfy Filipinos’ needs to constantly communicate with friends and loved ones, Fermin said, and will likewise help boost Smart’s data revenues for 2015.

Earlier, PLDT announced that mobile data revenues from its mobile subsidiaries increased by 21% to reach P4.7 billion during the first six months of the year.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Smart Communications, the mobile subsidiary telecommunications firm PLDT, posted strong growth in mobile data usage among its subscribers in the first half of 2015, fueled initially by a free Internet promo and then sustained by game-changing content and digital service offerings and the rapid growth in smartphone adoption.

Mobile data traffic passing through Smart’s mobile network surged almost 170% year-on-year for the first half of the year. This means more users are accessing the Internet on their mobile devices, and are reaping the benefits of living the ‘Smart Life’ by communicating and consuming multimedia content and digital services wherever they go.

“This ‘data explosion’ started when we introduced our ‘FREE Internet’ promo last year which aimed to give our subscribers an opportunity to try out various Internet and digital services,” said Ariel P. Fermin, Executive Vice President and Head of Consumer Business at Smart. “We see this trend continuing for the remainder of the year as we introduce more engaging content and digital services coupled with very affordable data service bundles that bring in added revenues for the mobile group.”

Some of these new digital initiatives include the Free Instagram offer for Smart subscribers, as well as the Free Facebook promo for Sun subscribers, which enable users to communicate not just through calls and texts, but via these new digital services as well. These offers satisfy Filipinos’ needs to constantly communicate with friends and loved ones, Fermin said, and will likewise help boost Smart’s data revenues for 2015.

Earlier, PLDT announced that mobile data revenues from its mobile subsidiaries increased by 21% to reach P4.7 billion during the first six months of the year.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

More partnerships and investments

In its bid to become the consumers’ preferred digital services provider, PLDT has already earmarked $100 million on top of its record P43 billion in CAPEX this year to acquire or co-develop services that will serve the needs of evolving digital consumers.

“The good news is we have already started stimulating usage among our subscriber base with breakthrough partnerships with the likes of FOX and iflix for mobile entertainment. Consumers can definitely expect more exciting partnerships in the coming months that will give them more opportunities to be digitally connected wherever they may be,” Fermin added.

Internet TV streaming service iflix, for example, is now the fastest growing service of its kind in Southeast Asia after reaching more than 150,000 subscribers in less than three months after launching in Malaysia and the Philippines. PLDT had earlier invested $15 million in iflix as part of its efforts to expand into the digital space.

This was followed by a strategic partnership with FOX International Channels to offer live TV channels and soon, subscription video-on-demand and catch-up TV from FOX’s vast library of content, accessible by subscribers using their mobile devices.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Fermin added that the combination of rising smartphone adoption, coupled with attractive data packages and bundles, could further boost the growth of its mobile data business through 2015. Currently, smartphone penetration within the Smart and Sun networks stands at 35% and is expected to grow more rapidly in the months ahead.

“To respond to this growth, we have already started designing both our postpaid and prepaid offers in ways that allow our subscribers to access digital services in a more convenient and affordable way,” he said.

In its bid to become the consumers’ preferred digital services provider, PLDT has already earmarked $100 million on top of its record P43 billion in CAPEX this year to acquire or co-develop services that will serve the needs of evolving digital consumers.

“The good news is we have already started stimulating usage among our subscriber base with breakthrough partnerships with the likes of FOX and iflix for mobile entertainment. Consumers can definitely expect more exciting partnerships in the coming months that will give them more opportunities to be digitally connected wherever they may be,” Fermin added.

Internet TV streaming service iflix, for example, is now the fastest growing service of its kind in Southeast Asia after reaching more than 150,000 subscribers in less than three months after launching in Malaysia and the Philippines. PLDT had earlier invested $15 million in iflix as part of its efforts to expand into the digital space.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

This was followed by a strategic partnership with FOX International Channels to offer live TV channels and soon, subscription video-on-demand and catch-up TV from FOX’s vast library of content, accessible by subscribers using their mobile devices.

Fermin added that the combination of rising smartphone adoption, coupled with attractive data packages and bundles, could further boost the growth of its mobile data business through 2015. Currently, smartphone penetration within the Smart and Sun networks stands at 35% and is expected to grow more rapidly in the months ahead.

“To respond to this growth, we have already started designing both our postpaid and prepaid offers in ways that allow our subscribers to access digital services in a more convenient and affordable way,” he said.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Like Us On Facebook

You May Also Like

HEADLINES

Smart Home WiFi provides convenience and reliability, powered by Smart’s superior 5G network, which allows users to stream videos seamlessly, upload and download large...

HEADLINES

This year, TNT won the prestigious gold award in the Effective Lotus category, continuing its winning streak after grabbing the gold award in the...

HEADLINES

This cooperation aims to enhance the connectivity and support services available to overseas Filipino workers through the Tindahan ni Bossing (TinBo) app, an essential...

HEADLINES

Guided by a consultation workshop with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Biodiversity Management Bureau and an assessment of their business impact...

HEADLINES

PLDT and Smart’s full support for the recent Fiesta Señor and Sinulog Festival 2025 aligns with the PLDT Group’s commitment to fostering Cebuano faith...

HEADLINES

PLDT and Smart's support for PPSA's Scaling Up Sustainability Project to benefit women farmer leaders like Maureen is part of its broader goal, together...

HEADLINES

During the workshop, fifteen regions from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao presented their localized emergency communication strategies before a panel of experts, comprised of seasoned...

HEADLINES

From Feb. 28 to Mar. 31, subscribers can get a chance to win a spot at a special bonding session with KaTropas Kathryn Bernardo and...

Advertisement