MANILA, Philippines – Smart Communications is now offering free internet to all its subscribers. After dropping hints two days ago, PLDT Chaiman Manny V. Pangilinan revealed today that all Smart prepaid subscribers will be able to use up to 30 Megabytes of free Internet per day.
To avail of the free internet promo, subscribers need only to register daily. To do this, simply text FREE to 9999.
The promo is open to all prepaid Smart, Talk N’ Text, and Sun Cellular subscribers.
Smart free internet promotion lasts until November 30, 2014. For more information, visit the official Smart Communications website.
Smart launches FREE mobile Internet for prepaid subscribers
In an unprecedented move, wireless services leader Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) together with Talk ‘N Text and Sun Cellular today announced that they will start providing free Internet access to its prepaid subscriber base via their mobile phones.
Over 66 million Filipinos gain access to the Internet
In an unprecedented move, wireless services leader Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) together with Talk ‘N Text and Sun Cellular today announced that they will start providing free Internet access to its prepaid subscriber base via their mobile phones.
Through this special offer, all of the 66 million Smart Prepaid, Talk ‘N Text, and Sun Cellular Prepaid subscribers can use their data-enabled cellphones to browse through and post on their Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts, visit their favorites websites, search on Google and Wikipedia, use navigation tools like Waze and Google Maps, book a cab or limo service via Easy Taxi and Uber, or use traffic info sites such as the MMDA’s and InterAksyon’s.
They can also send and receive emails, read their favorite blogs or update their own blogs, listen to songs via Smart’s Spinnr music service, shop via online stores like Zalora, Lazada, book their travel details through sites like Skyscanner and Expedia, among other things – all without incurring data charges.
Many of them (Filipinos) already have the mobile devices capable of accessing the internet but have yet to use them to go online – Manny Pangilinan, PLDT Chairman
Subscribers can access the internet either through data-capable feature phones or smartphones running on Android, iOS and Windows operating systems. This special offer will be available initially until November 30, 2014.
“We are launching this initiative to provide a much larger number of Filipinos the opportunity to try out and experience the Internet, enjoy its benefits and, as we at Smart like to say, live more,” said Manuel V. Pangilinan, chairman of Smart and its parent company PLDT.
“This special offer is specifically designed to assist our prepaid subscribers who make up the bulk of our population. Many of them already have the mobile devices capable of accessing the internet but have yet to use them to go online. In this way, Smart can effectively promote digital inclusion and spread the benefits of the Internet in the fastest and most effective way possible,” he added.
Unrivaled network
Smart’s free mobile Internet offer follows the telco leader’s recent announcement that it has stepped up the deployment of its mobile internet network, to meet the growing demand for mobile data services.
Smart recently reported a 73% hike in mobile data traffic, as smartphone prices continue to fall and innovative services like SmartNet and PisoNet allow more and more Filipinos to gain access to the Internet via their mobile phones.
“The strength and resiliency of our mobile data infrastructure enable us to make this special free internet offer available to our prepaid subscribers. Moreover, we continue to expand the reach of our network so that we can bring the internet to more communities all over the country,” said Napoleon L. Nazareno, president and CEO of Smart and PLDT.
The PLDT Group has thus far rolled out about 90,000 kilometers of fiber optic cables all over the country which provides the transmission facilities needed to support internet services. It has also the most extensive international cable systems needed to connect the Philippines to the rest of the world.
Internet for All
“This special offer is in line with our advocacy of ‘Internet for All’,” said Orlando B. Vea, Smart’s chief wireless advisor.
“It complements the affordable mobile Internet packages that Smart has been introducing over the past year. Among the latest of such innovations are PowerApp and the PisoNet service which provides 10 minutes of mobile internet access for one peso,” he explained.
To avail of the free mobile internet offer, Smart, Talk N Text and Sun Cellular subscribers must have an available airtime balance of at least one peso, or is subscribed to any load bucket or promo. They must register each day, by simply sending “FREE” to the number “9999.” Registration is free. They will receive an SMS confirmation upon successful registration.
Once registered, subscribers can enjoy a free data volume package of up to 30MB per day. Data charges will however apply to peer-to-peer uploads and downloads, videos, VOIP and messaging.
Smart Telecom free internet frequently asked questions
What is the FREE INTERNET offer?
As a special promo/offer, ALL PREPAID subscribers of Smart will enjoy FREE MOBILE INTERNET access.
What does FREE INTERNET mean?
FREE INTERNET is a promotion available to all ACTIVE prepaid subscribers to enjoy access to mobile Internet with no extra cost, initially up to 30MB, and subject to the promo terms and fair use policy.
Who are considered ACTIVE subscribers?
An ACTIVE Smart subscriber has an available airtime balance of at least one peso or is subscribed to any load bucket/promo.
With the FREE INTERNET offer, what can subscribers access for free?
Subscribers using their mobile phones can access their favorite Internet sites or apps for free, including:
- Browse through or post photos and status updates on their social networking sites (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)
- Read news and entertainment sites (Rappler, CNN, and the like)
- Stream music through the likes of Spinnr
- Shop online (Zalora, Lazada, eBay, Amazon, etc.)
- Search for information (Google, Wikipedia, Yahoo!, etc.)
- Send and receive emails (Gmail, Yahoo! Mail)
- Visit their favorite blogs and update their own
- Use navigation apps like Waze
What sites/apps are EXCLUDED from the free internet promo?
The FREE INTERNET special offer EXCLUDES the following:
- Download, stream and watch videos (Youtube, Vimeo)
- Use VOIP apps (FaceTime, FaceTime Audio, Skype, Viber, Tango)
- Use messaging apps (Whatsapp, WeChat, Line, Viber)
- Peer-to-peer file-sharing sites and apps like Bittorrent
What is the promo period?
The promo will run until November 30, 2014.
How can I avail of this special offer?
All ACTIVE Smart subscribers can avail of the free Internet promo anytime within the promo period.
To avail of the service, the subscriber must register daily, by sending FREE to 9999.
Registration is FREE. The subscriber will then receive an SMS confirmation upon successful registration.
What will happen to my existing data subscriptions?
Your existing data package will NOT be affected, and you will still be allowed to register to the Free Internet special offer.
While using the Free Internet special offer and you access the sites/apps that are EXCLUDED under the promo terms, these transactions will be charged against your existing data subscription.
Is the FREE INTERNET unlimited?
No it is NOT unlimited. Subscribers can enjoy all-day access to their favorite sites for free, initially up to 30MB. The free service, however, is subject to the promo use conditions.
What can you do with 30MB?
On the average, a subscriber with 30MB can enjoy ALL of the following services:
- 20 social media posts with photo
- 50 web pages loads
- 20 plain emails
- 15 minutes of music streaming
Is the Free internet service available for roaming?
No. Promo can only be used while in the Philippines.
Is the free internet available for postpaid and broadband subscribers?
No. Postpaid and broadband will have their own promotions.
What is the speed of the service?
Speed will depend on several factors, such as the device/handset being used, the location and the time of use of the subscriber.
The service is delivered across all network platforms – 2G/3G/4G.
Minimum speed is 12kbps.
(Photo: GMA News)