Pinoy Buzz: Smart Communications

Smart posts “clear leadership” vs Globe in LTE speeds nationwide - OpenSignal

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">MANILA, Philippines - Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), the wireless communications and digital services subsidiary of PLDT, is increasing its lead in LTE (4G) speeds nationwide, according to the latest crowd-sourced data gathered by wireless coverage research firm OpenSignal.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKaS0BVBOVJgT4XJ-LMwJTJAUz8JUDitGBcoagmp9CeXwUUwNUae68pZK9VPKn0uCrtD5GApyVxvYj-HCCHTQdX4wXIi0xrCScfMXuBC6YLnbMZzSWoAzuz7Jc5nyBb75N5FanhDESLnq/s1600/smart-globe-lte-signal-speed-report-2018.png" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Smart posts “clear leadership” vs Globe in LTE speeds nationwide - OpenSignal" border="0" class="img" data-original-height="423" data-original-width="757" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKaS0BVBOVJgT4XJ-LMwJTJAUz8JUDitGBcoagmp9CeXwUUwNUae68pZK9VPKn0uCrtD5GApyVxvYj-HCCHTQdX4wXIi0xrCScfMXuBC6YLnbMZzSWoAzuz7Jc5nyBb75N5FanhDESLnq/s1600/smart-globe-lte-signal-speed-report-2018.png" title="Smart posts “clear leadership” vs Globe in LTE speeds nationwide - OpenSignal" /></a></div><br />In a report, Smart posted what it called “clear leadership” in LTE across the country, with nationwide average LTE download speeds of 11.7 Mbps (vs. 7.3 Mbps of Globe). The results covered the months of September to November.<br /><br />Smart also dominated all measured areas, with 13.2 Mbps in National Capital Region (NCR)/Metro Manila, 7.7 Mbps in the Visayas, and 12.1 Mbps in South Luzon, compared with Globe which, based on the results, registered speeds of 8.2 Mbps, 6.8 Mbps and 6.3 Mbps, respectively.<br /><div id="unruly-unit"></div><style type="text/css">.tg  {border-collapse:collapse;border-spacing:0;border-color:#ccc;}.tg td{font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px;padding:10px 5px;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;overflow:hidden;word-break:normal;border-color:#ccc;color:#333;background-color:#fff;}.tg th{font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;padding:10px 5px;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;overflow:hidden;word-break:normal;border-color:#ccc;color:#333;background-color:#f0f0f0;}.tg .tg-baqh{text-align:center;vertical-align:top}.tg .tg-amwm{font-weight:bold;text-align:center;vertical-align:top}.tg .tg-dzk6{background-color:#f9f9f9;text-align:center;vertical-align:top}@media screen and (max-width: 767px) {.tg {width: auto !important;}.tg col {width: auto !important;}.tg-wrap {overflow-x: auto;-webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch;}}</style><br /><div class="tg-wrap"><table class="tg"><tbody><tr>     <th class="tg-amwm">Area</th>     <th class="tg-amwm">Smart (Mbps)</th>     <th class="tg-amwm">Globe (Mbps)</th>   </tr><tr>     <td class="tg-dzk6">NCR</td>     <td class="tg-dzk6">13.2</td>     <td class="tg-dzk6">8.2</td>   </tr><tr>     <td class="tg-baqh">South Luzon</td>     <td class="tg-baqh">12.1</td>     <td class="tg-baqh">6.3</td>   </tr><tr>     <td class="tg-dzk6">North Luzon</td>     <td class="tg-dzk6">Not revealed</td>     <td class="tg-dzk6">Not revealed</td>   </tr><tr>     <td class="tg-baqh">Visayas</td>     <td class="tg-baqh">7.7</td>     <td class="tg-baqh">6.8</td>   </tr><tr>     <td class="tg-dzk6">Mindanao</td>     <td class="tg-dzk6">Not revealed</td>     <td class="tg-dzk6">Not revealed</td>   </tr><tr>     <td class="tg-amwm">Average</td>     <td class="tg-amwm">11.7</td>     <td class="tg-amwm">7.3</td>   </tr></tbody></table></div><br />In terms of coverage, the latest results showed significant improvements in both 3G and LTE availability, with double-digit year-on-year improvements registered for LTE coverage in Metro Manila, Southern Luzon and the Visayas. Nationwide, Smart’s LTE availability improved from 35.86% in the January 2017 report to 58.07%, the report said.<br /><br />In parallel, Smart 3G coverage also improved across the areas measured, with nationwide 3G availability improving from 67.89% to 74.45%.<br /><br />The OpenSignal results were corroborated by recent internal tests, which showed better download speeds in Southern Luzon. Median download speeds of 18.5 Mbps were posted in Quezon province, while speeds of 17.1 Mbps were recorded in Batangas.<br /><br />In Metro Manila, recent internal tests in Parañaque, for example, recorded median LTE download speeds of 17.9 Mbps, while median download speeds of 27.6 Mbps were posted in Caloocan. In Taguig, Smart LTE posted median download speeds of 18.6 Mbps.<br /><br />LTE speeds in Cebu, meanwhile, averaged 24 Mbps, while LTE speeds in Davao were at 34 Mbps on average, also based on recent internal tests.<br /><br />Smart expects to fulfill ahead of schedule its commitment to the National Telecommunications Commission to cover over 90% of the country’s cities and municipalities with mobile broadband using LTE and 3G by 2019.<br /><br />LTE is the best technology to help bring fast, affordable, and reliable internet services to as many customers as possible.<br /><br /><b>— The Summit Express</b></div>

Smart posts “clear leadership” vs Globe in LTE speeds nationwide - OpenSignal

MANILA, Philippines - Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), the wireless communications and digital services subsidiary of PLDT, is increasing...

Smart beats Globe in LTE speed across regions in PH – OpenSignal

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">MANILA, Philippines - PLDT wireless subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) continues to lead across all regions in terms of LTE speeds, according to the latest regional results collated by wireless coverage research firm OpenSignal, as announced on Thursday, October 19.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS7c9CCzwNXE6jSAxhTX8cZRbZuLudgwUaGyOCKtjjC8G91t75phQIWuAntxrNiEy6zhOUIQGm-SF_EDiB_VQJZoga2uTbDb1Fb5t8VBELiQn9d1HkPuWOP-bplkn9ABi7YfY2Q4CWkzwK/s1600/smart-vs-globe-lte.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Smart beats Globe in LTE speed across regions in PH – OpenSignal" border="0" class="img" data-original-height="398" data-original-width="712" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS7c9CCzwNXE6jSAxhTX8cZRbZuLudgwUaGyOCKtjjC8G91t75phQIWuAntxrNiEy6zhOUIQGm-SF_EDiB_VQJZoga2uTbDb1Fb5t8VBELiQn9d1HkPuWOP-bplkn9ABi7YfY2Q4CWkzwK/s1600/smart-vs-globe-lte.jpg" title="Smart beats Globe in LTE speed across regions in PH – OpenSignal" /></a></div><br />“The latest OpenSignal results show that where we have LTE, we deliver the fastest speeds, and we are rapidly expanding our network’s reach to make this available to more Filipinos, starting with urban hubs like Metro Davao, Metro Cebu and Metro Manila, where there is a significant concentration of LTE device users, ” said Eric Alberto, PLDT Group Chief Revenue Officer.<br /><br />“In 4G speed, Smart was really able to strut its stuff in the NCR and Mindanao. In those two regions, Smart not only exceeded its national average LTE download speed of 10.6 Mbps, but it beat out competition by huge margins in our test results (by more than 4 Mbps in both cases),” OpenSignal noted in its report.<br /><br />Smart posted LTE speeds of 11.7 Mbps in Mindanao (vs 6.4 Mbps of Globe) and 12.4 Mbps in Metro Manila (vs 7.8 Mbps). Smart also led in North Luzon at 8.3 Mbps (vs 6.6 Mbps) and South Luzon at 9.3 Mbps (vs 6.8 Mbps). It posted average download speeds of 7.1 Mbps in the Visayas.<br /><div id="unruly-unit"></div><br />OpenSignal also noted that Smart’s 4G availability score was much higher in Metro Manila compared to the national average, with Smart’s NCR 4G availability at 67.5 percent—15 points higher than the national score. “This shouldn’t come as a surprise as the NCR is essentially the metro area of Manila, a very densely populated region,” OpenSignal said.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXaZqeJ2zypG-S6jcwd5nP3Y_Af-w5YzDvDnTSUWpBHf0zDHn-q3v97gcXIfSu94B8NCf3lhvB33q3O47JUKTg9Wy1ZKTdn2Eqblc4-AS-7-i1C79WP8w-I4FrZGj-ijZa2NNjsLYa3c2Y/s1600/globe-vs-smart-3g-LTE-speed.JPG" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Mobile networks update (Philippines)" border="0" class="img" data-original-height="388" data-original-width="1103" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXaZqeJ2zypG-S6jcwd5nP3Y_Af-w5YzDvDnTSUWpBHf0zDHn-q3v97gcXIfSu94B8NCf3lhvB33q3O47JUKTg9Wy1ZKTdn2Eqblc4-AS-7-i1C79WP8w-I4FrZGj-ijZa2NNjsLYa3c2Y/s1600/globe-vs-smart-3g-LTE-speed.JPG" title="Mobile networks update (Philippines)" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mobile networks update (Philippines). Photo Credit: OpenSignal website</td></tr></tbody></table>“Through our network improvement efforts, PLDT and Smart are leading the way to improving internet and digital services for Filipinos all over the country to make the best mobile data experience more accessible to our customers,” Alberto added.<br /><br />“Apart from improving the network, Smart is also setting the pace in putting LTE within the reach of our customers by helping them shift to LTE devices to experience our improved network,” Alberto said.<br /><br />Earlier this month, Smart announced that it was upgrading its cell sites and doubling its LTE capacity in Marikina and Quezon City as part of its network expansion and modernization program. The upgrade is expected to improve Smart’s mobile data service, particularly LTE and 3G, and provide superior network capacity to customers who live and work in the two cities.<br /><br />Smart has already finished its LTE rollout in the country’s top urban hubs Metro Cebu and Metro Davao, in the island resort of Boracay, and in Rizal province. It is currently underway in Metro Manila.<br /><br />This comprehensive network modernization and expansion program is at the core of the PLDT group’s digital pivot. Smart’s network rollout took a big bulk of PLDT’s ramped-up capital expenditure program of P42.8 billion for 2016, which included the utilization of the new frequencies freed up with the acquisition of San Miguel Corporation’s telco assets.</div>

Smart beats Globe in LTE speed across regions in PH – OpenSignal

MANILA, Philippines - PLDT wireless subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) continues to lead across all regions in terms of LTE speed...

Smart rolls out 4.5G LTE-Advanced mobile service in PH

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">MANILA, Philippines - PLDT wireless subsidiary Smart Communications (Smart) has begun to roll out the country’s first LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) service which can provide significantly higher data speeds than existing LTE services using a capability called “carrier aggregation.”<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnX_z0vFfqvJaZKMuWmwXfLQMg1P27WnztQercVzpPCFFRzYXohwr4TWLA9pyqFmEOUTsQQns2YHH2p11Ov1S1czsBwk2lgRg_3JPVfU6wuK2pbjSDwz3JC1G8S-3GP0lbH3TtYrKS5YcZ/s1600/smart-lte-advanced-boracay.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="PLDT Chief Technology and Information Advisor Joachim Horn introduces Smart's LTE-A service." border="0" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnX_z0vFfqvJaZKMuWmwXfLQMg1P27WnztQercVzpPCFFRzYXohwr4TWLA9pyqFmEOUTsQQns2YHH2p11Ov1S1czsBwk2lgRg_3JPVfU6wuK2pbjSDwz3JC1G8S-3GP0lbH3TtYrKS5YcZ/s640/smart-lte-advanced-boracay.jpg" title="PLDT Chief Technology and Information Advisor Joachim Horn introduces Smart's LTE-A service." width="560" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PLDT Chief Technology and Information Advisor Joachim Horn introduces Smart's LTE-A service.<br />Photo Credit: PLDT Media</td></tr></tbody></table>Initially deployed in Boracay, Aklan, one of the country’s leading tourist destinations, Smart’s LTE-A service there has posted speeds of up to 250 Mbps. <br /><br />“With the introduction of our LTE-Advanced service, the next stage of development of 4th generation of mobile technology, Smart is again at the technology forefront, setting the bar higher for mobile service experience,” said Joachim Horn, PLDT and Smart chief technology and information advisor.<br /><br />Smart joins the short list of operators around the world that have tested and rolled out the technology, which is also referred to as 4.5G. This list includes Optus in Australia, Sprint in the US, and Turkcell in Turkey, among others.<br /><br />“Combined with our other network improvement initiatives for both our mobile and fixed line networks, the introduction of LTE-A will help boost internet services in the country and enable more Filipinos to enjoy and benefit from the fast-growing range of digital services that PLDT and Smart offer,” he said.<br /><br />“We are also planning ahead, in anticipation of future advances in technology. Our current investments in network facilities are already being done in a way that will enable us to be ready for 5G when it arrives sometime in 2020. For this purpose, we are working closely with NTT DoCoMo, which is one of the global pace-setters in the development of 5G,” Horn added.<br /><br /><br /><b>A much wider highway</b><br /><br />Carrier aggregation refers to the ability of LTE-A to combine two or more radio frequency bands in order to deliver bigger bandwidth and faster data speeds to mobile users.<br /><br />“This is like being able to put together two or more separate highways in order to create a wider highway through which vehicular traffic can flow more freely and at a much faster rate,” Horn said.<br /><br />“Wireless technologies being a shared resource, the actual customer experience is typically less than the peak speeds being registered during tests.  But, carrier aggregation on LTE-A, by combining the capacities of two or more frequency bands, will enable Smart to deliver to subscribers with LTE-A devices consistently higher speeds than is possible using LTE.  In Boracay, we have combined three frequencies, which is a first in the country,” he explained.<br /><br />For Smart subscribers using LTE-A capable devices, this translates into superior experiences when using various data services, particularly bandwidth-heavy services like video- and audio-streaming, and gaming.<br /><br />Currently, the LTE-A capable devices include the Samsung Galaxy S7 and the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge.  Other handset manufacturers are expected to introduce their own LTE-A devices soon.<br /><br />Smart ran several tests of LTE-A in 2013 – in Boracay during the Geeks on a Beach startup conference; in Davao City during the Kadayawan festival; and in Makati City.  The introduction of LTE-A capable devices since then has opened the door for its roll-out.<br /><br /><br /><b>A broader effort</b><br /><br />Horn explained that LTE-A is the “cutting edge” of a broader effort to improve the cellular and mobile internet services of Smart and Sun subscribers.<br /><br />In a network integration program started last year, for example, Smart and Sun have been synergizing their networks to improve the coverage and quality of service for the subscribers of both brands using 2G, 3G and LTE capable devices.<br /><br />“For example, where it makes technical and marketing sense, we equip a single cell site – either of Smart or Sun – so that this can serve the subscribers of both brands,” Jorn said. <br /><br />As a result of this program, depending on the area, the effective coverage for Smart and Sun subscribers increases by anywhere from 50% to 100%. The program is expected to be completed by end-2016 or early 2017.  This was part of PLDT’s P43-billion capital expenditure program (capex) in 2015 and will be funded by the 2016 capex budget which has been set at the same level. <br /><br />In this program, specific attention is being given to enhancing 3G/HSPA/HSPA+ coverage and capacity because about 90% of Smart and Sun subscribers who go online use 3G handsets.<br /><br />“Improving our 3G data service thus delivers immediate benefits to the largest number of people in our subscriber base. At the same time, we have been expanding the coverage of our LTE network because the number of subscribers using LTE phones is steadily rising,” Horn said. <br /><br />“And now, we have also begun to deploy LTE-A. The pace of this deployment will be driven by several factors, including the rate at which subscribers start using LTE-A capable devices,” he added.</div>

Smart rolls out 4.5G LTE-Advanced mobile service in PH

MANILA, Philippines - PLDT wireless subsidiary Smart Communications (Smart) has begun to roll out the country’s first LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) s...

Smart offers P888 Prepaid Android smartphone

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">MANILA, Philippines - The country’s top mobile services provider Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) has reported overwhelming sales of its P888 Prepaid Android Smartphone Kit, with stocks running out at Smart Stores, Smart Online Store and MyPhone stores nationwide.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLMXhKTaAXUPJ3lzxLdpuQZQlNtKAHoEOmiPBKay0dGDlng1UkAg7Zous92d5qfEmACeHJgseOIev0RYW4Z8Ew5chVN29tNmPo35ZBilyQ2rtkWYGNUzsrC9-hK7TKyClh03ZUFxeLUt8i/s1600/smart-prepaid-smartphone-888.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Smart’s P888 Prepaid Smartphone" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLMXhKTaAXUPJ3lzxLdpuQZQlNtKAHoEOmiPBKay0dGDlng1UkAg7Zous92d5qfEmACeHJgseOIev0RYW4Z8Ew5chVN29tNmPo35ZBilyQ2rtkWYGNUzsrC9-hK7TKyClh03ZUFxeLUt8i/s400/smart-prepaid-smartphone-888.jpg" title="Smart’s P888 Prepaid Smartphone" width="308" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smart’s P888 Prepaid Smartphone</td></tr></tbody></table>An unprecedented offer aimed at bringing the smartphone experience to more Filipinos, Smart’s Android Smartphone Kit is available for a one-time payment of only P888. The kit comes with a Smart Prepaid Sim packed with FREE mobile data of 100MB valid for valid 30 days per month for 12 months, and a load rebate of P30 for an accumulated top-up of P100 every month for 12 months.<br /><br />The brisk sales of Smart’s Prepaid Android Smartphone have prompted Smart to work closely with top Filipino mobile phone brand MyPhone in delivering new phones to serve the huge demand among smartphone users all over the country.<br /><br />“We’ve never seen such a public demand like this. We’re overwhelmed by the positive response of the market,” said Ariel P. Fermin, Executive Vice President and Head of Consumer Business at PLDT and Smart.<br /><br />“This goes to show that more and more Filipinos are now kickstarting their Smart Life experience as they see the many benefits of connecting online with wide array of digital content at their fingertips,” added Fermin.<br /><br />With Smart’s Prepaid Android Smartphone Kit, subscribers can easily boost their mobile lifestyle with the FREE 100MB data, which  can be used for browsing, chatting and staying active in top apps like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter.<br /><br />Subscribers can also easily  go all out on their Smart Life experience by loading up and registering to Smart Prepaid’s top Big Bytes promos, which offer super-sized data that let them enjoy the widest breadth of digital content, including movies, music, games, and ebooks on their mobile phone.<br /><br />Moreover, subscribers can use their prepaid load to conveniently buy apps and other content on Google Play using Smart’s Google Direct Carrier billing.<br /><br />“Smart’s Prepaid Smartphone Kit is the perfect way to allow your relatives and friends to go beyond call and text, and start leveling up to the mobile Internet experience that a smartphone provides,” said Fermin.<br /><br />Aside from enticing new smartphone users and Smart Prepaid subscribers, the country’s hottest smartphone deal is expected to boost mobile data usage among Filipinos, which grew by 139 percent in PLDT’s wireless segment during the first nine months of 2015 .<br /><br />Smart’s latest offer is part of the company’s two-track approach in empowering more Filipinos with access to digital services: first, by leading the way in making the smartphone a lot more attainable to the masses, and second, by further expanding its range of digital services in the fields of connectivity, entertainment, home security, urban convenience and financial services – which are at the center of the Smart Life.</div>

Smart offers P888 Prepaid Android smartphone

MANILA, Philippines - The country’s top mobile services provider Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) has reported overwhelming sales of its P...

Smart topples Telstra, wins 'best mobile operator ' award from int’l body

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">MANILA, Philippines  - For the second straight year, the country's wireless services leader Smart Communications (Smart) was named Best Mobile Operator in the prestigious World Communication Awards, an annual recognition program for innovation and outstanding performance in the global telecommunications industry.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT71HIflekchvOPicZ3wI6OIx24SO44cOL-ivI_YEhXNYkwtwTXVASEc_Z2FUwYfOPxEAgWw_kfN1SPPHS7T_fRvNmMvkMM4UaJ3zQiejuJODGGZguwpngzVlVtp2t6V2mrDaKgRpqAzVP/s1600/smart-telstra-wca-2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="smart vs telstra" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT71HIflekchvOPicZ3wI6OIx24SO44cOL-ivI_YEhXNYkwtwTXVASEc_Z2FUwYfOPxEAgWw_kfN1SPPHS7T_fRvNmMvkMM4UaJ3zQiejuJODGGZguwpngzVlVtp2t6V2mrDaKgRpqAzVP/s400/smart-telstra-wca-2015.jpg" title="smart vs telstra" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />Smart bagged the coveted prize over Australian company Telstra and Middle Eastern operator Ooredoo in the recent ceremony held in London.<br /><br />Last year, Smart won in the invitation-only category over six other finalists, including Philippines' Globe Telecom and Turkcell (Turkey).<br /><br />The WCA is organized annually by London-based industry publication Total Telecom.<br /><br />In naming Smart Best Mobile Operator, the WCA recognized the company’s ability to “develop its business by moving into new areas or through service innovation.”<br /><br />Powered by its strengthened digital strategy which focuses on new mobile data offers and digital partnerships, Smart posted an all-time high growth for its mobile data and broadband businesses in the first nine months of 2015. Combined revenues reached P15.6 billion, aided by a 139% upsurge in mobile data usage within the network.<br /><br />Smart recently forged partnerships with leading global digital technology companies like Uber and Airbnb, and with entertainment companies like iflix, FOX, MCA Music, and Sony Music. It introduced a slew of digital offers under the “Smart Life” campaign, which gives Filipinos the best of entertainment, convenience, urban comforts, and peace of mind wherever they go.<br /><br />These new partnerships are tied into a more streamlined suite of mobile data offerings, bannered by Smart’s Big Bytes 50 offer that includes 350MB of open-access data, plus 600MB of additional data for iflix, FOX, and SPINNR, valid for three days.<br /><br />Smart has received several international awards this year, including Best Mobile Music App for SPINNR which was given at the Global Mobile Awards in Spain. Smart’s president and chief executive officer Napoleon L. Nazareno was also named Telecom CEO of the Year at the Telecom Asia Awards in Indonesia.<br /><br />Smart remains the undisputed Philippine leader in mobile, with 67 million cellular subscribers under the brands Smart, Sun, and TNT. It has 3.8 million broadband subscribers under the brands Smart Bro and Sun Wireless Broadband.</div>

Smart topples Telstra, wins 'best mobile operator ' award from int’l body

MANILA, Philippines - For the second straight year, the country's wireless services leader Smart Communications (Smart) was named Best ...