Smart is sole Phl carrier of Samsung Galaxy Nexus

Smart Communications Inc. is the exclusive Philippine carrier of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, the flagship device of technology giant Google and the world’s first smartphone powered by Android 4.0. The Samsung Galaxy Nexus showcases all the new features of Android 4.0 codenamed Ice Cream Sandwich, and the latest version of the world’s most popular mobile device operating system. The changes include an entirely new look and feel to the home screen, Web browser, e-mail, and everything in between. They also include a revamped handset user interface, seamless integration with Google’s Web services including Google+ Hangouts, and other new features like facial recognition, voice typing, Near Field Communication (NFC), and more. The Samsung Galaxy Nexus’ faster processing with 1.2 GHZ dual core processor and the 4.65” large HD AMOLED display are also ideal for its productivity, multi-tasking, multimedia capture, and new built-in photo-editing features. “The Samsung Galaxy Nexus brings more excitement to our lineup of power handsets exclusively available to our subscribers,” said Gio Bacareza, head of Smart’s Broadband Internet and Data Services team. “As the flagship device of innovation leader Google, it is natural that it be carried exclusively by the country’s telco leader — this way, Filipino mobile users can have access to the best smartphones and use them on the best network,” Bacareza added. The Samsung Galaxy Nexus will soon be available in Smart Stores nationwide, free at Smart Postpaid Unli Data Plan 2000. Smart’s Unli Data Plans provide unlimited mobile Internet, and free calls and SMS. To be among the first to own one of the world’s most anticipated handsets, interested subscribers can pre-order the Samsung Galaxy Nexus until Jan. 27 via http://smart.com.ph/samsung-nexus. “The emergence of advanced Android smartphones like Samsung Galaxy Nexus coincides with Filipino consumers’ rapid shift to more data-driven devices,” said Bacareza. “To maximize the Samsung Galaxy Nexus experience, as with other smartphones, it is important that the user is with a strong, reliable network. And Smart is the only telco with a data network capable of providing the best connectivity to the world’s most advanced devices,” Bacareza added. For more information on the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, its features and detailed specifications, visit http://smart.com.ph/samsung-nexus or try out the device now on display at the Jump Experience Center in SM Megamall Cyberzone.

Tattoo@Home beefs-up 2012 product portfolio

TATTOO, the flagship broadband brand of Globe Telecom, unveils its new line-up of broadband offers for consumers that offer superior and customizable speeds and the best value-for-money packages in the market today. Using the most diverse array of broadband technologies in the country Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), 4G WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) and GPON (Gigabit-capable Passive Optical Network), Tattoo@Home provides stable and flexible connections that give families the best internet experience at home, from parents working or paying bills online, young adults downloading their favorite songs or movies to kids and teens doing research and expressing themselves in multiple ways online. The best part about Tattoo@Home is that the plans are customizable based on the subscribers' unique needs. For instance, Tattoo@Home Plan 1099, a DSL and landline bundle, runs of speeds of up to 1mbps. Plus, customers get free NDD calls forever (to Globelines and Globe DUO subscribers) and one month of speed boost for free. On the other hand, Tatttoo@Home Plan 1299 runs on speeds of up to 2 mbps and subscribers get free NDD calls forever (to Globelines and Globe DUO subscribers), one month of speed boost and a free WiFi (Wireless Fidelity) router. "Our Tattoo@Home offers are the most superior in the market, with compelling freebies bundled with the broadband service. Plus, these plans are unique because customers can customize these via optional speed boost add-ons that provide an additional 1 Mbps of speed during certain times of the day," said Jurist Gamban, Head of Tattoo@Home Broadband. Launching its greatest value for money and high-speed broadband plans for the whole family, Tattoo@Home also introduced Ford Supermodel of the World 2010 Danica Flores Magpantay as its newest brand ambassador. Tattoo, powered by Globe Telecom, has beefed-up its service on the back of the aggressive expansion Globe is currently undertaking on its network infrastructure. The company was the first to launch its 4G WiMax network and GPON (direct fiber optic cable) internet service in the Philippines. Tattoo@Home is also the first to launch speed boost add-ons that allows customers faster downloads of their choosing. Tattoo@Home, the wired broadband business of Globe grew its subscriber base by 17 percent year-on-year as of the third quarter of 2011, with close to 300,000 subscribers.

Smart starts pre-selling Samsung Galaxy Nexus

The Samsung Galaxy Nexus, dubbed as the world's first smartphone powered by Google's Android 4.0 operating system (Ice Cream Sandwich), will soon be available in the country. Smart Communications Inc. announced that it is now pre-selling the Galaxy Nexus on its website. Customers may avail of the smartphone with a postpaid plan until Friday, January 27. The units will be released in the country on Saturday, January 28. "The Samsung Galaxy Nexus brings more excitement to our lineup of power handsets exclusively available to our subscribers," Gio Bacareza, head of Smart's broadband Internet and data services team, said in a statement. He added that "the emergence of advanced Android smartphones like Samsung Galaxy Nexus coincides with Filipino consumers' rapid shift to more data-driven devices." The Galaxy Nexus has a 1.2-gigahertz dual core processor and a 4.65-inch high-definition AMOLED (active matrix organic light-emitting diode) display. It also has built-in photo editing features and productivity tools, among others.

MRT queue now longer

IT was already past 9 a.m. yesterday but the queue at the MRT line at its station in North Triangle still stretched beyond one block from both sides. Dozens of would-be train commuters who knew better than to join the long line were now frantically trying to flag taxis in front of the station; the entrance to the turnstiles was full of harried passengers vigorously fanning themselves and undoubtedly cursing under their breath the darned situation. This kind of hassle has long been the bane of the MRT, playing day in and day out and worsened by breakdowns (frequent) in the elevator service and the escalators (almost always). In fact, a now-yellowed poster at the elevator service cites the exact date the service was discontinued: three months ago to date. This scene at the start of the MRT station in North Edsa is replicated in its other stations: clutter, grime, service breakdowns. And they all point to the absence of the government there. And to think that a simple “caring touch” here and there in the MRT stations would do wonders for the government and even ensure positive feedbacks from the great mass of MRT commuters who have long been victims of the mess the MRT stations have become. What does the government have to do to make its presence felt in the MRT stations? We don’t think it needs that much to maintain the elevators so that people with disabilities (PWDs) or the elderly can use the MRT. The floors don’t have to be shiny and spotless; all they need is to be cleaned of candy wrappers carelessly thrown away by the unschooled or uncaring among us, and the dirt that clings to the thousands of sandals and shoes that trudge the MRT entrances. Also, all the government has to do is to install one or two electric fans to make more comfortable those using the escalators (when they are working) or the passageways in each of the stations so that the horde of MRT users can have a whiff of fresh air. The electric fans become extremely necessary when the rains come and the humidity becomes unbearable. We believe the government only needs to dig a bit into the multibillion-peso conditional cash-transfer (CCT) funds for, say, P10 million to keep the MRT stations, if not the trains, well maintained. How about it, guys? Globe unveils new product Speaking of service, Globe Telecom is raising the ante in its product offering with a new lineup of broadband offering for consumers that offer superior and customizable speeds and the best value-for-money packages in the market today. With its Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), 4G WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) and GPON (Gigabit-capable Passive Optical Network)—the telco’s flagship brand Tattoo@Home provide stable and flexible connections that give families the best Internet experience at home, from parents working or paying bills online, young adults downloading their favorite songs or movies to kids and teens doing research and expressing themselves in multiple ways online. The Tattoo@Home product lineup is customizable based on the subscribers’ unique needs. For instance, Tattoo@Home Plan 1099, a DSL and landline bundle, runs of speeds of up to 1 Mbps. Plus, customers get free NDD calls forever (to Globelines and Globe DUO subscribers) and one month of speed boost for free. On the other hand, Tattoo@Home Plan 1299 runs on speeds of up to 2 Mbps and subscribers get free NDD calls forever (to Globelines and Globe DUO subscribers), one month of speed boost and a free Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) router. “Our Tattoo@Home offers are the most superior in the market, with compelling freebies bundled with the broadband service. Plus, these plans are unique because customers can customize these via optional speed boost add-ons that provide an additional 1 Mbps of speed during certain times of the day,” said Jurist Gamban, head of Tattoo@Home Broadband. Launching its greatest value for money and high-speed broadband plans for the whole family, Tattoo@Home also introduced Ford Supermodel of the World 2011 Danica Flores Magpantay as its newest brand ambassador. The new product offering provides a glimpse of the aggressive expansion Globe is currently undertaking on its network infrastructure. The company was the first to launch its 4G WiMAX network and GPON (direct fiber-optic cable) Internet service in the Philippines. Tattoo@Home is also the first to launch speed boost add-ons that allows customers faster downloads of their choosing resulting in the growth of its subscriber base by 17 percent year-on-year as of the third quarter of 2011, with close to 300,000 subscribers.

Smart ‘LTE-ready’ by mid-2012

SMART Communications, Inc. (Smart) will upgrade its entire mobile phone network to “LTE-ready” status by as early as mid-2012, company officials said. “That means we will be able to activate LTE or HSPA+ services at any of our base stations, depending what the market in that area requires,” said PLDT and Smart Technology Group Head Rolando G. Peña. “This is a major component of the P67.1 billion network modernization of PLDT and Smart which we have accelerated and intend to complete within the year,” he said. LTE is shorthand for the most advanced fourth generation (4G) wireless technology called Long Term Evolution, which is capable of speeds of 100 Mbps and above. High Speed Access Plus (HSPA+) is a 4G technology that can deliver speeds of up to 80 Mbps. Upgrading To make its network of over 13,000 base stations 4G-ready, Smart is installing Single Radio Access Network (Single RAN) base stations in all of its cell sites. Single RAN facilities can be easily upgraded to offer either HSPA+ or LTE services through software upgrades and some additional hardware equipment. PLDT and Smart are also rolling more fiber optic cables (FOCs) to connect its base stations to the rest of the network. FOCs enable the network to carry data traffic in greater volumes and faster speeds with greater resiliency. As of 2011, over 5,000 Smart base stations were already 4G-ready, close to 3,000 of which are already 4G-equipped (with LTE, HSPA+ and Wi-Max facilities), backed by more than 45,000 kilometers of fiber optic cables arranged in “loops.” “Looping” allows data to be redirected to other avenues or channels, should one channel of connectivity be cut, “making the PLDT group’s network the most comprehensive and the most resilient in the Philippines,” the company said. “We have fast-tracked this program because consumer and business demand for mobile broadband services is growing rapidly. At the same time, more LTE and HSPA+ devices are being brought into the market,” Peña said. Market analytics firm Pyramid Research (www.pyr.com) cited in its latest report that increased demand for mobile video is one of the main factors for the tenfold increase in the number of commercially-available LTE devices last year. Pyramid Research predicted that smartphones will surpass personal computers (PCs) as the largest market segment which uses LTE by as early as 2014. Smart was the first Philippine mobile operator to start deploying LTE facilities last year in strategic areas of the country. Last November, Smart made “Smart Evolution LTE” available to select members of the media via a closed beta test. Upgrading Using LTE-capable USB dongles, test participants have experienced speeds of up to 80Mbps—faster than most commercially-available wired and wireless Internet services in the market today. Smart is also the only company in the Philippines to carry HSPA+ in two frequency bands. “Our HSPA+ service which runs in both 850MHz and 2100MHz allows our subscribers to get stable signal reception, faster download speeds, and better battery life wherever they may be in the country,” said Peña, “This is especially useful for subscribers who use smartphones and tablets, as these devices consume large amounts of data and battery power.

Globe Telecom to relaunch ‘Lamborghini’ broadband stick

GLOBE Telecom Inc.’s “Tonino Lamborghini” broadband stick brand—which was the subject of a licensing controversy last year—is going to resurface soon. “It’s coming back…It’s all about lifestyle,” the cellular firm’s President Ernest Cu told reporters on Friday night at the relaunch of Globe Tattoo sticks. Cu, who refused to give additional details, said the misunderstanding was “not our fault,” referring to accusations hurled on Globe for reportedly violating the international intellectual property laws. The cellular firm has said it obtained valid authorization to use the name and logo Tonino Lamborghini on its 4G broadband sticks after allegations of trademark infringement. Globe said it was authorized by Primo Mobile, a Singapore-based company that has a master license agreement with Italy-based Tonino Lamborghini s.r.l. Primo Mobile is the master franchisor of mobile device-related products for Tonino Lamborghini and is authorized to sublicense the brand in exclusive territories, including the Philippines. The design of the Globe Tattoo Tonino Lamborghini 4G broadband sticks was even reviewed and given the go-signal by Primo Mobile. Cu said the licensing matter had been settled. The Globe official was present during the unveiling of Globe’s new Tattoo broadband sticks on Friday. The new USB dongles assure will supposedly provide faster and continued connectivity to the Internet. “For this year, we are relaunching the whole Tattoo portfolio…to give superior products and services to our subscribers,” said Globe head of nomadic broadband business Dong Ronquillo during the relaunch on Friday night. The new USB sticks now come in three variants: Tattoo Sonic is the most affordable device at P995. Its speed reaches up to about 3.6 megabits per second (Mbps). The Tattoo Flash costs P1,245 and runs under the 4G (fourth generation) umbrella with speeds reaching to 7.2 Mbps that comes with 25 days free Facebook usage. The Tattoo Superstick prepaid, meanwhile, is also powered by 4G technology with speeds of up to 7.2Mbps but costs P3,895 since it comes with 25 days of free Facebook usage. Tattoo’s postpaid portfolio starts at P299 and P499 a month. Both come with the 4G-powered Tattoo Bolt that reaches 7.2Mbps. Tattoo Magnum at plan P999 has speeds of up to 12Mbps while the Tattoo Superstick at plan P1,299 that promises speeds of up to 21Mbps. Both runs on 4G network. Globe also offers add-ons. Speed boosts can go for up to 12Mbps for an additional P100 a month; up to 21Mbps for P150 a month and up to 42Mbps for P250 a month. Wider bandwidth also becomes more accessible with the Volume Boost that starts with an additional 5 gigabytes (GB) for P200 a month; additional 10GB for P300 a month and a Surf-All-You want option for only an additional P400 a month. “We maybe a challenger but we are a strong challenger and we are actually defining the market. We want to resist limitations, mediocrity and uniformity…we have chosen some new ambassadors this year to represent the brand, to represent the youth to better themselves,” said Ronquillo.

PLDT extends free Cebu WiFi

The Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) has extended its free wifi access to Cebu-based landline and Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) subscribers after successfully implementing the service during the Sinulog Festival. The PLDT WiFi Zones roll out in Cebu was the first outdoor wifi service implemented in the country, with each access point allowing Internet users connection speeds of up to 1mbps. PLDT WiFi Zones were initially set up to allow users free online access in several key areas during the Sinulog festival but this free service will be extended until the end of the month. The PLDT WiFi Zones were made accessible on Gen. Maxilom Avenue, Gorordo to Fuente Osmeña Circle, Osmeña Boulevard, Portions of N. Bacalso Avenue and P. del Rosario, the Cebu City Sports Center, Cebu City Hall, Provincial Capitol, Magellan's Cross and Plaza Independencia. "With the unveiling of the PLDT WiFi Zones during Sinulog, locals and guests alike were able to connect online and share their experiences on the streets as they happen,” says PLDT Head of Cebu Operations Bong Lintag. “The access points for the wifi service were right where the festivities are centered," he explained. But now, "We've decided to extend the free period to allow people who were not able to experience the free wifi access during the Sinulog a chance to have a feel of the connection speeds in the covered areas." Attendees of the festival were able to post photos and videos of the festivities as these were happening on the streets. Located in Cebu's leading commercial districts and tourist sites, access points set up can accommodate more unique users at a time as more access points are deployed in other areas. “This value-added service is an extension of our customers’ broadband service at home carrying with it the same strong connections that they experience with Mydsl and Fibr. Wherever it is available, users will get to enjoy fast, reliable wifi service in popular locations throughout the city,” noted PLDT Retail Business Group Head Dan Ibarra.

Globe most popular Internet service provider -- study

GLOBE Telecom is the most popular mobile Internet service provider in the country, according to the annual consumer study jointly conducted by Yahoo Southeast Asia and Nielsen. The Yahoo! Net Index 2011, now on its third year, was participated in by a total of 1,500 respondents across all socio-economic classes living in 22 major cities in the country. It used a two-part structured questionnaire to determine Internet usage and behavior, which included mobile Internet, or access of the Internet via the mobile phone. The study also revealed that the Philippines stands apart as the only country in Southeast Asia where women make up a higher proportion of mobile Internet users than men at 57 percent versus 43 percent. It also disclosed that growth in mobile Internet activity came from the youth segment and those from the lower economic groups who use affordable handsets bundled with bite-size voice and data plans for sending e-mails, social networking, instant messaging, and search engines. "Accessing the Internet on mobile is rapidly growing across Southeast Asia. By and large we see similar trends across the region in terms of use and access at home, the young demography, affordable handsets and bite-sized prepaid data plans all driving mobile internet growth,” David Jeffs, head of Insights for Yahoo! Southeast Asia said. “As more Filipinos access the Web via mobile, this will allow telecom companies achieve economies of scale and bring down tariffs, in turn adding further stimulus to mobile Internet growth,” Jeffs said. With the rapid penetration of social media and availability of more affordable smartphones among Filipino mobile phone owners, Globe looks at its mobile data business to sustain momentum after the segment posted substantial growth in revenues in the third quarter of last year. At end-September last year, the company’s mobile browsing revenues rose to more than P1.4 billion, a 64 percent increase from last year’s levels on the back of the company’s strong portfolio of new services that promote the use of mobile internet for social networking, search engine, e-mail services as well as entertainment through the use of mobile applications or apps. To further increase penetration of mobile Internet among Filipinos, especially those who give value to their money, Globe recently made its Postpaid PowerSurf plans even better with the implementation of a P999 bill cap to help users avoid bill shock. “Mobile browsing has definitely revolutionized the Philippine telecommunications industry with the growing demand for an easier and more accessible way to be connected to the World Wide Web,” Ernest Cu, president and chief executive of Globe said. To support the suite of mobile Internet services that Globe offers, the company earlier announced that it would embark on a US$ 790-million network modernization program to prepare its network for more bandwidth-heavy services such as broadband and data. The massive modern network roll out is expected to provide subscribers with a more stable and reliable network coverage nationwide, giving them an unparalleled service experience when they text, call and surf on their mobile phones.

Smart relaunches online store with iPhone 4S offering

DIGITAL consumers can now purchase their iPhone 4S and other latest mobile and broadband devices through the recently launched revamped online store (smart.com.ph/store) of leading wireless services provider Smart Communications, Inc. This is the only online store that offers iPhone 4S with free delivery until June 30 of this year. With its new streamlined and user-friendly interface, Smart's online store offers a secure and convenient way to purchase mobile handsets and other gadgets anytime, any day. Consumers can now also avail of exclusive offerings exclusive to Smart's official online selling channel. Smart's online store currently offers Smart prepaid phone and broadband kits including iPhone 4S, Netphone 701, Samsung Galaxy Y, Pocket WiFi, Starter Plug-It, Power Plug-It, Rocket WiFi Plus, Smart Bro SIM, and Smart Bro MicroSIM. As a promo, the online store will offer free nationwide delivery for all orders up to June 31, 2012. "We are excited about our new online store as we have made various improvements to make online shopping better for consumers. This is just the beginning of an all-integrated online commerce experience for Smart products and services." said Mellissa B. Limcaoco, group head for digital media, Smart. For an end-to-end customer experience which extends to post sales concerns, the new online store has been integrated with my.Smart, Smart’s single log-in account management system. Credit cardholders and Smart Money account users will be able to securely transact through the online store. All items bought online are also guaranteed to be delivered anywhere in the Philippines within five to seven days although delivery can be as quick as 24 hours depending on availability of products and delivery location. "This is part of our thrust of promoting the digital lifestyle among Filipinos. Buying mobile phones and broadband gadgets has never been this convenient. As the only wireless services provider offering this service, expect more features and special offers in the coming months." said Chette Soriano, project proponent and consultant, digital media group, Smart. The Smart online store is just one of the many latest improvements to the Smart website. Last year, the company revamped its website to reflect the changes in its logo, branding, and the convergence of the mobile and digital landscape.

Globe reaches out to more customers through more service channels

Subscribers of Globe Telecom are in for a better experience with more customer service channels that would immediately respond to customer needs and queries. In a statement, Globe said it has launched new online channels to provide subscribers a variety of options where they can easily ask for after-sales support wherever they are and whatever time of the day. Subscribers here and abroad can get real-time feedback from customer service representatives (CSR) who are on duty 24/7 through the chat functionality available on the Globe website or by adding the Talk2Globe account (Talk2GLOBECHAT) on Yahoo! Messenger. Globe subscribers anywhere in the Philippines can also get help through SMS by texting HELP to 1234 for free. These new channels feature faster response time to a specific customer inquiry, as well as uninterrupted and seamless service with a conversation tracking feature. The new customer touchpoints are on top of the existing channels available for Globe subscribers such as the Talk2Globe Hotline via 730-1000 (toll-free via Globe Landline) or 211 (toll-free via Globe/TM mobile), official Talk2Globe social networking accounts in Facebook and Twitter, and the Talk2Globe e-mail account (talk@globetel.com.ph). “As part of our commitment to superior customer experience, Globe gets closer to customers using new service technologies that spell convenience, accessibility, and faster response,” said Joe Caliro, Head for Customer Experience of Globe. “This gives our customers an opportunity to use their preferred channel to communicate with us, letting them enjoy talking to Globe their way with our widest range of self-service channels.” Globe also launched *143#, the newest and easiest quick-service menu that allows subscribers to know more about the latest Globe promos at the touch of a button for free. Both prepaid and postpaid subscribers using this innovative service can quickly access billing and load details, as well as call, text and surfing promos, do GCASH transactions, download related services, and share prepaid load to Globe and TM users without having to memorize registration codes and access numbers. To use the service, just dial *143# and press the call button on the mobile phone. In an unprecedented move at personalization, Globe has also set up an exclusive Visayan interactive voice response (IVR) system and deployed Visayan-speaking CSR agents based in Cebu to serve sales, after-sales, and technical concerns on broadband and landline services of customers in the Visayas and Mindanao regions. The company partnered with Aegis People Support and Tech Mahindra, two of the top call center companies in the global BPO industry. “This is a milestone not only for Globe but for our Visayan-speaking subscribers because they will find that when they talk to Globe, we are more responsive and there are no language barriers,” added Caliro. The mobile services were served starting Jan. 15, 2012, for prepaid and Feb. 13, 2012, for postpaid. The Visayan language is the second most-widely spoken dialect in the country, with over 20 million Filipinos speaking the language in various provinces and cities in Visayas and Mindanao. Visayan-speaking subscribers can call the Hotline at (02) 730-1000 or 211 and choose the Visayan option to listen to a Visayan-speaking IVR or speak with a Visayan CSR.

Philippines to see mobility, cloud go into overdrive

Although the country's mobile and cloud space already have been growing at a frenetic pace over the last couple of years, local technology companies are expecting these sectors to see explosive growth in 2012 as both technologies gain mainstream popularity. While the Philippines is already a hotbed for mobile innovations, industry observers said booming demand for Internet-capable smartphones and tablets are pushing the country's mobile sector to expand into new markets. "The introduction of more affordable smartphones that are more powerful than most personal computers indicates that mobile phones have outdone the modern PC," said Ming Espineda, research analyst at XMG. "Clearly, there is a need to incorporate mobility in the PC and its application through cloud technology." Ramon Isberto, public affairs head of mobile operator Smart Communications, said social media will further accelerate Internet usage in the country. "As telcos roll out their broadband networks, more people in more areas of the country will be able to access the Internet. The challenge is how to increase the penetration of these Web devices and services," noted Isberto. Smart's parent company and the country's dominant carrier, PLDT, is convinced mobile devices and tablets will continue to dominate the consumer IT segment next year. "As a consequence, more apps will be rolled out for these devices whether [Google] Android, [Apple] iOS or in any upcoming mobile platform," the company said. Mobile developers should choose right focus Local software developers also believe there will be increased startup activity, especially in the mobile and cloud space. "Because of the low-barriers to entry for mobile and cloud startups, many developers will decide to create their own products," said Calen Legaspi, CEO of Orange and Bronze Software Labs. However, Legaspi, who also serves as technology director of the Philippine Software Industry Association (PSIA), cautioned developers from focusing too much on mobile development. "It's okay to have those skills on your team but [don't] focus mainly in these skills," he said. "Since projects in mobile tend to be small, these can be done by individuals. It will, therefore, be tough for companies to compete on cost with independent contractors who are easily available through online contracting sites," he explained. "Outsourcing companies should focus on server-side skills, with mobile software development as a secondary offering." Legaspi said local mobile software developers should also look at technologies such as HTML5, Javascript and PhoneGap to create cross-platform applications since clients would like to have their products run on both iOS and Android. Local ICT companies are equally bullish on the burgeoning cloud computing space, with local operator Globe Telecom noting that the promise of cloud will attract organizations to explore new options. "With cloud solutions, enterprises will have agility and mobility in acquiring, storing and doing a backup of their important data, and can subscribe to computing power and data center modules on demand," said Jesus Romero, head of Globe Business. PLDT concurs with Globe, its lone rival in the country's lucrative mobile telecommunications business. "Almost everybody is going to cloud computing in the IT industry. Services and applications are being shared via the Internet," a company spokesperson said in an e-mail. "[But] with cloud services, you will have an issue with IT security [so companies] will [find] a balance between ubiquitous access and security risk. And with many devices accessing the Internet, the shift from IPv4 to IPV6 needs to materialize soon." Smart chimed in: "Service providers will have to overcome the security concerns of businesses. "But for consumers, they have long opted for the cloud, whether they knew it or not. Social networking and e-mail are all in the cloud. The question is, can local firms develop relevant services in the cloud, too?" For tech titan IBM, which is marking its 75th year in the country this year, the debate is long over in favor of the cloud--insofar as businesses as concerned. "Cloud computing can increase business performance by creating new business models, enabling speed and innovation, reengineering business processes and supporting new levels of collaboration. It is massively scalable, provides a superior user experience and is characterized by new, Internet-driven economics," Big Blue said. PSIA's Legaspi said companies should turn to cloud services to reduce their administrative headaches and costs, as well as gain efficiencies and improved collaboration. "New Philippine software outsourcing firms should opt to focus on Groovy, Ruby or Python so they can compete within a focused niche, instead of trying to compete with the larger firms doing Java or .Net," he explained. "Opportunities lie in creating or integrating systems on top of SaaS products like Google Apps, Google Maps, Netsuite and Salesforce." Nurturing local startups On the outsourcing front, Legaspi said U.S.-based incubators and venture capital firms will increasingly look to invest in Philippine startups, furthering the software industry. "Independent contracting will also lure software developers away from the job market, since they can get offshore jobs online from the comfort of their own homes," he noted. "Many of these jobs will be in remote cities and towns far away from the big cities, as long as the Internet bandwidth is available and steady." Business intelligence (BI) is an area ICT providers are also watching closely. Globe Telecom's Romero said the explosion of information coming from different devices will push IT vendors "to tell a story behind a vast amount of data". "The IT industry will be inspired to become strategic partners in terms of empowering enterprises to have quantitative data and have that information used to their advantage through various BI solutions," he noted. IBM, however, said BI tools should be deployed by enterprises and government agencies in an "integrated system that is designed for big data through advanced analytics". "They must, therefore, collect, store, manage and secure all available data in all forms, to build a holistic, integrated vision across institutions and sectors," a company spokesperson said. "By analyzing and harnessing information from all aspects of society, governments can better collaborate internally and with public and private partners to improve existing services and pioneer new initiatives."

Smart relaunches online store with iPhone 4S offering

Digital consumers can now purchase their iPhone 4S and other latest mobile and broadband devices through the recently launched revamped online store (smart.com.ph/store) of Smart Communications Inc. This is the only online store that offers iPhone 4S with free delivery until June 30. With its new streamlined and user-friendly interface, Smart’s online store offers a secure and convenient way to purchase mobile handsets and other gadgets anytime, any day. Consumers can now also avail themselves of exclusive offerings exclusive to Smart’s official online selling channel. Smart’s online store currently offers Smart prepaid phone and broadband kits, including iPhone 4S, Netphone 701, Samsung Galaxy Y, Pocket WiFi, Starter Plug-It, Power Plug-It, Rocket WiFi Plus, Smart Bro SIM, and Smart Bro MicroSIM. As a promo, the online store will offer free nationwide delivery for all orders up to June 31. “We are excited about our new online store as we have made various improvements to make online shopping better for consumers. This is just the beginning of an all-integrated online commerce experience for Smart products and services,” said Mellissa Limcaoco, group head for digital media of Smart. For an end-to-end customer experience which extends to post-sales concerns, the new online store has been integrated with my.Smart, Smart’s single log-in account management system. Credit cardholders and Smart Money account users will be able to securely transact through the online store. All items bought online are also guaranteed to be delivered anywhere in the Philippines within five to seven days although delivery can be as quick as 24 hours depending on availability of products and delivery location. “This is part of our thrust of promoting the digital lifestyle among Filipinos. Buying mobile phones and broadband gadgets has never been this convenient. As the only wireless services provider offering this service, expect more features and special offers in the coming months,” said Chette Soriano, project proponent and consultant of Smart’s digital media group. The Smart online store is just one of the many latest improvements to the Smart website. Last year, the company revamped its website to reflect the changes in its logo, branding, and the convergence of the mobile and digital landscape.

Fixed Internet Providers, 4G Wireless, and the Future of the Internet

A lot of people pit 4G wireless broadband against fixed internet services. Some say that the former is where the future of the Internet lies, while others believe that the latter will continue to be the type of service that the majority of users will use when accessing the World Wide Web. But what people need to understand is that both services are different and make use of different technologies. As such, each has its own corresponding advantages and disadvantages. What is Fixed Internet? Fixed wireless broadband is basically one of the types of high-speed Internet access where the connections being sent to the internet providers make use of DSL cables, copper, or fibre technology. For areas where there are no DSL or cable television lines and where fibre has not yet been laid down, an alternative fixed internet service is available where the connections make use of radio signals instead of these cables. The speeds that users can expect from such connections are much slower and generally range from 1 to 10 Mbps. What is 4G Wireless Broadband? 4G wireless broadband is the fourth and latest generation of wireless service available in the industry. It is the successor of 3G and is a widespread, high-speed wireless service. The limitation to 4G is that its availability is still very much limited to certain areas and regions. While many service providers and operators are providing 4G services, the underlying technology that they’re using might vary, such as WiMAX technology and Long Term Evolution or LTE technology. Fixed Internet versus 4G Wireless Broadband The major difference between the two is, obviously, the manner with which it allows users to access the Internet. Fixed Internet requires a physical connection via wires between the PC or laptop and the modem. This limits access to the web only in a fixed area—at your computer table, at your workstation, or in your cubicle at the office. While this may be limiting, the direct connection to the modem also gives users access to broadband speeds that are superfast. Fixed Internet networks are usually large and are more reliable because of this. On the other hand, one may consider 4G wireless broadband as “on-the-go” Internet that users can access, anytime and anywhere they want to, as long as there’s a strong signal from the mobile carrier they’re subscribed to. 4G is also able to transfer data at faster speeds. It does so by splitting the data to be transmitted over various radio frequencies so that a larger amount of data can be transferred per second. Reliability, Cost, and Users’ General Preferences While there are many considerations that can be made when looking at both technologies, three stand out: service reliability, cost, and user preference. For the first point, fixed broadband emerges as the more reliable option because the connection is not dependent on the strength of the operator’s signal in the area. The computer is connected directly to the modem, so there’s no need to worry if the area or region that you might be traveling to has poor coverage. The costs of each service depend highly on the type of plan or contract that you’ve taken out with your provider or carrier. It’s notable that many users experience bill shock when it comes to 4G mobile broadband as they are usually unaware of the amount of data they have used via their devices until their bill arrives. However, the cost is not much of an issue if the user is well aware of the limits and keeps track of his or her mobile data usage. Perhaps the future of the Internet—and the type of technology that may predominate—lies mainly with the users and their preference. Fixed broadband and 4G wireless each have their own pros and cons and corresponding strengths and weaknesses. One emerges on top as being constant and reliable, while the other provides the convenience of portability and accessibility. However, the broadband industry is constantly evolving and perhaps improvements and developments in one type or the other will reveal which technology is more fitting for the future of the Internet.

Free delivery until June 30! Smart relaunches online store with iPhone 4S offering

Digital consumers can now purchase their iPhone 4S and other latest mobile and broadband devices through the recently launched revamped online store (smart.com.ph/store) of leading wireless services provider Smart Communications, Inc. This is the only online store that offers iPhone 4S with free delivery until June 30 of this year. With its new streamlined and user-friendly interface, Smart’s online store offers a secure and convenient way to purchase mobile handsets and other gadgets anytime, any day. Consumers can now also avail of exclusive offerings exclusive to Smart’s official online selling channel. Smart’s online store currently offers Smart prepaid phone and broadband kits including iPhone 4S, Netphone 701, Samsung Galaxy Y, Pocket WiFi, Starter Plug-It, Power Plug-It, Rocket WiFi Plus, Smart Bro SIM, and Smart Bro MicroSIM. As a promo, the online store will offer free nationwide delivery for all orders up to June 31, 2012. “We are excited about our new online store as we have made various improvements to make online shopping better for consumers. This is just the beginning of an all-integrated online commerce experience for Smart products and services.” said Mellissa B. Limcaoco, group head for digital media, Smart. For an end-to-end customer experience which extends to post sales concerns, the new online store has been integrated with my.Smart, Smart’s single log-in account management system. Credit cardholders and Smart Money account users will be able to securely transact through the online store. All items bought online are also guaranteed to be delivered anywhere in the Philippines within five to seven days although delivery can be as quick as 24 hours depending on availability of products and delivery location. “This is part of our thrust of promoting the digital lifestyle among Filipinos. Buying mobile phones and broadband gadgets has never been this convenient. As the only wireless services provider offering this service, expect more features and special offers in the coming months.” said Chette Soriano, project proponent and consultant, digital media group, Smart. The Smart online store is just one of the many latest improvements to the Smart website. Last year, the company revamped its website to reflect the changes in its logo, branding, and the convergence of the mobile and digital landscape.

Sun Broadband’s Anti-Bill-Shock Plan 350: Sun Cellular’s most shocking deal

Life is full of surprises and a crippling bill should not be one of them. You’ve probably heard about the frustrations associated with excessive use of wireless broadband internet. Hours of online surfing, posting Facebook statuses, reading tweets, writing blogs, sending emails, watching videos and playing virtual games among other online activities will come back to haunt you in the form of outrageous fees and unexpected charges. It’s anyone’s worst nightmare but it doesn’t always have to end that way. Known for its consistent, fast and reliable broadband connection, Sun Cellular continues to provide loyal subscribers with products that allow them to stay on top of changing internet needs while still giving them the best options and top value for their money. Such commitment extends to its newest plan that addresses consumers’ concerns regarding wireless broadband internet usage. Called Sun Broadband Anti-Bill-Shock Plan 350, this postpaid plan makes it possible for subscribers to surf, post and view all they want while managing their monthly usage fee. For a monthly subscription fee of P350, the plan comes with 35 hours of Internet use. Anything in excess of the consumable Internet usage, subscribers need not buy prepaid load as they will be billed at a cost of P10 per hour on top of the monthly subscription fee. The advantage of this plan, unlike any other product in the market, lies in the “anti-bill-shock cap” feature which protects Sun subscribers from unexpected charges by putting a maximum limit to the number of billable hours of Internet usage which is 90 hours. If a subscriber consumes 90 hours of Internet use or a maximum equivalent of P900 monthly bill, the anti-bill-shock cap immediately takes effect giving the subscriber unlimited hours of online surfing at absolutely no extra charge. It’s definitely a cost-efficient way to utilize broadband connectivity with the added value of gaining control over your monthly bill. Use the 35-hour consumable wireless broadband Internet to accomplish daily tasks such as send work-related emails, communicate with colleagues through instant messages, check regular updates on social networking sites and read your favorite blogs and Internet sites. Need extra hours to watch your favorite videos or download songs? For only P10 per hour, you can enjoy non-stop browsing for music, clips or shows. When you cannot afford to be off-line, the anti-bill shock feature provides the you the flexibility to be on-line all the time without having to worry about a huge broadband bill. The good news doesn’t stop there. As an added bonus for all new subscribers, the first month comes with free 25 hours of wireless connection, giving subscribers a total of 60 hours of internet fun! Shock-proof Broadband service Given today’s highly mobile lifestyle, the Internet has become an indispensable tool to many. This is why Sun Cellular has come up with its most economical postpaid broadband service integrated with its pioneering unlimited feature. True to its commitment of giving unparalleled service, reliable connectivity and low subscription fees, it brings together the best of both worlds with this new service. It is cleverly designed around the Internet habits, lifestyle and most importantly, spending power of consumers. Since subscribers are billed only for the number of hours they consume, the plan presents the perfect postpaid broadband service across different market groups who share the same need for control over their monthly bills and enjoy the liberty of accessing the Internet whenever, wherever. To subscribe to Sun Broadband Anti-Bill Shock Plan 350, visit The Sun Shop branch nearest you, dial the Sun Hotline 200 using a Sun-powered phone or (02) 395-8000 from any landline for more queries. Visit our Facebook page www.facebook.com/suncellularph for more updates, or follow Sun Cellular on Twitter via www.twitter.com/suncelltweets

AT&T Debuts New Nokia Windows Phone

AT&T Inc. introduced a new Nokia Corp. smartphone, the second device from Nokia to run Windows software in the U.S. and the first to operate on a fourth-generation network. The device follows T-Mobile USA's introduction of the lower-cost Lumia 710 last year and bolsters AT&T's 4G LTE network device portfolio. AT&T said Nokia would reveal details later at a presentation in Las Vegas as part of the Consumer Electronics Show. The carrier has rolled out the mobile broadband network to cover more than 70 million Americans, though it still lags rival Verizon Wireless, which reached more than 200 million by the end of last year. HTC Corp. Chief Executive Peter Chou also introduced the Titan II smartphone, featuring a 4.7-inch screen and 16-megapixel camera, that will go on sale later this year. The handsets are part of Nokia's re-entry into the U.S. after partnering with Microsoft to jointly develop the Windows software. The company is betting Windows can help it play catchup to rivals HTC and Samsung Electronics Co., which sell handsets running Android software, as well as Apple Inc.'s iOS on the popular iPhone smartphones. Ralph de la Vega, chief executive of AT&T Mobility, said he saw "tremendous potential" in Microsoft's smartphone operating software. He was joined by Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer and Nokia chief Stephen Elop in introducing the device. Microsoft has to play some catchup to Google Inc.'s Android and Apple Inc.'s iOS mobile software. Android had 46.9% of the U.S. market, as of November, followed by iOS with 28.7%, compared with just 5.2% for Windows, according to comScore. Research In Motion Ltd. had 16.6% of the market, comScore said.

4G LTE in the car: the best use of next-gen wireless broadband yet

If you thought America’s wireless infrastructure was overtaxed now, just wait: 4G connectivity is coming to the car. General Motors’ OnStar division — yes, they of the little blue button — announced last night here at the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show a partnership with Verizon to bring more bandwidth to the family vehicle. And in a way, it’s the best use of 4G yet. 4G speeds are welcome by everyone, but the technology comes with drawbacks — among then, limited availability and a battery-eating reputation. It might be wonderful to buy the latest Google Android 4G smartphone, but unless you’re near a major city and don’t stray too far from an outlet, it’s of no use. With an alternator under the hood that keeps things charged, the car solves the latter problem easily. It’s a welcome hurdle to lower as GM courts third-party app developers to work with its platform. It’s also quite necessary to advance the capabilities of in-vehicle telematics: though some drivers will find 4G best suited to keeping four noisy kids occupied in the backseat, others will notice how it enables real-time diagnostics, GPS navigation and “smart” connectivity — such as instructing the garage door to open before you arrive. Simply, you’ll want access to the cloud on hand when the “check engine” light comes on 300 miles from home. The car of the future is connected indeed, but that vision requires a wireless broadband infrastructure that’s as robust as the physical roads and streets the car is actually traveling on. With OnStar, Verizon putting its toe in the water to test it all out.

Citibank loads up on mobile banking apps

Citibank is offering ease in accessing one’s credit card and bank accounts right in the comfort of your own home or office, in fact anywhere and anytime through Citibank Online, or the mobile banking application for Android phones or Citi Mobile Payments. Keep track of bank accounts, pay bills, transfer funds, view electronic statements and experience superior online banking services without having to go to the bank through Citibank Online. “It is simple to navigate, assures you of secure access and has world-class banking features that allow you to do your transactions whenever you wish,” said Roy Villareal, Consumer eBusiness director. “It even has a personal budgeting tool that can help you keep a close watch of your credit card expenses by creating a monthly budget for all your spending.” Citibank’s mobile banking application or App for Android phones will also allow banking flexibility to transact anytime and anywhere, plus show you shopping and dining offers exclusively for Citibank customers wherever you may be. Simply download from the Marketplace application in your Android phone to get started on knowing the best dining deals in preferred locations, or check out the local partner retail stores for special offers, find out the latest promotions just for Citibank customers, search for the nearest Citibank ATM or branch, and claim your rewards all through Citibank’s Mobile Banking service. Search for Citibank Philippines and from the results list click Citibank PH then download. Once successful, the Citi Mobile icon will appear on your homescreen. Even with your busy schedule, Citibank lets you do transactions with ease. Have food delivered to you without having to swipe your credit card with Citi Mobile Payments. You can also charge your utility bills through this facility and even purchase load credits for your mobile phone and broadband service. You can send your donations to your favorite charities, too, through Citi Mobile. Last but not the least, if you want to monitor your monthly spend, get your statement of accounts early through Citibank’s e-Statements. Enjoy the speed and convenience of viewing your credit card statements soon as ready so no need to wait for the seven to 14 days postal delivery. You get your statements in your email within five days as a password-protected PDF file, making it a safe and secure method of receiving your statements. What’s even good about it is you get updated on the latest Citibank promos and offers.

Broadband in the sky: Telstra BigPond USB 4G review

Being able to maintain the level of connectedness and the level of service in terms of bandwidth available for tasks like content streaming, videoconferencing and telepresence has become so much more important as more and more of our daily tasks and interactions take place online. Telstra is the first in Australia to take the next step in the neverending upgrade marathon and rolled out its initial ‘4G’ data network late last year. Telstra’s 4G network uses the Long Term Evolution (LTE) specification; a set of specs that define the way high-speed mobile data network is designed and configured. LTE offers some interesting levels of performance, a peak download rate of 300Mbit/s and upload rates of 75Mbit/s as well as sub 5ms latency in the connection for most data packets, depending on the hardware used to connect. LTE is also configured as an IP network. Technically, LTE isn’t 4G at all, as it doesn’t meet the specifications for 4G, such as gigabit speeds (or more accurately, can’t get to gigabit speeds), however it is commonly called 4G where it’s been rolled out, and can be marketed as such, as Telstra has. Telstra has turned on its implementation of LTE with data services available within 5km of the GPO in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth Adelaide, Darwin, Hobart and Canberra, as well as capital city airports. Furthermore, the tech is switched on in 31 region areas within 3km of their POs, with another 50 locations to be turned on by the time you read this. When outside a 4G coverage area, the Telstra 4G USB switches back to the standard 3G data network. Coverage can be checked here. You should definitely check that you can get the benefits before you sign on the dotted line. The first product released by Telstra to work on its 4G network is a USB adapter manufactured by Sierra Wireless and branded by Telstra. The USB adaptor is a nicely designed, if not chunky metal sheathed unit that will definitely take some wear and tear from road warriors. When plugging in the BigPond USB 4G for the first time, software stored on the USB 4G device is prompted to run, installing the requisite drivers and connection program required to control it. The software is quite simple, and the only button you’ll spend any time pressing is connect/disconnect. There are a few details about your connection quality, and it lets you know if you’ve connected via 4G or 3G, but it’s not a complex piece of software by any stretch. We tested the Telstra BigPond USB 4G in a few different areas in Sydney. Within 4G connection areas we could consistently speed-test the service between 25Mbit/s and 34Mbit/s download speeds with latency around the 30-40ms mark in good reception spots. Further away (such as in Sydney’s inner west, where 4G coverage is listed but is not close to a cell) we recorded speeds from 6Mbit/s to 11Mbit/s. In context, our slowest 4G result in a ‘good’ reception area is faster than the fastest theoretical ADSL2+ connection speed. It sure is snappy if you’re in the right spot. Once you drift back to a 3G network area the honeymoon ends, with tested speeds of 5.1Mbit as our max rate.

Mobile Broadband Router

The Westermo MRD-350 is a robust industrial mobile broadband router designed for remote access across a cellular network. According to the company, the router: Uses the Internet to cost-effectively interconnect systems, allowing HMIs, PLCs and other devices to communicate with each other. Has an uplink capacity of up to 5.7 Mbit/s and downlink of 14.4 Mbit/s, making it suitable for high data rate transmissions. Is suitable for mobile or static applications, including video surveillance, SCADA/DNP3 telemetry systems and remote access to machines and devices. Has a special low-power mode to only be fully powered when needed, which is perfect for solar-powered applications. Supports a wide variety of wireless standards including GSM, GPRS, 3G UMTS, HSDPA and HSUPA. Features dual SIM card support, which ensures that site connectivity is not dependent on a single carrier. Will automatically use the most efficient network available according to the geographical area when applied to on board applications (train, truck, buses, off road vehicles, etc.). Features a rugged enclosure, operating voltage range from 10 VDC to 60 VDC and compact design with all interfaces and LEDs positioned at the front. Features isolation between the PSU and the Ethernet and serial ports, so protection is provided against issues caused by ground loops. Offers protection from malicious eavesdroppers via encrypted communication tunnels — Virtual Private Networks (VPN). Features a simple yet powerful packet inspection firewall. Includes a number of tools that will ensure connectivity with PLCs and other RS-232-based devices. Features a built-in two port 10/100 Ethernet switch and RS-232 port, which allow a broad range of devices, machines and systems to seamlessly connect over any distance.

Smart blocks 'bill shock' with new charge cap

Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) is putting an end to unexpected mobile Internet charges as it introduces its new anti-bill shock feature. Unlike in the past when charges continued to pile up because of unknown or unintentional use of data connectivity (e.g. via automatic app updates, location-based services, etc.), the new feature automatically kicks in to prevent overcharging. Smart Data Lite Plans 500, 800 and 1,000 and iPhone Plans 999 and 2,499 will enjoy the worry-free data charge cap without the need to enroll or sign up for a separate package unlike those offered by the competition. To illustrate, iPhone Plan 999 subscribers are allocated a total of 250MB of data every month. Once the data allocation has been consumed, the regular charge of P10 for every 30 minutes of mobile Internet use will be billed above the monthly service fee (MSF). Regular data charging will continue until accumulated Internet charges reach P1,200 — at which point, the plan will work like an unlimited data connection until the next billing cycle. “Not everyone is able to keep track of their data usage, which is why Smart subscribers need not register to the new anti-bill shock feature,” said Smart mobile marketing head Guido Zaballero. “Now, both new and existing subscribers can enjoy the power of mobile Internet minus the hassle,” he added. Smart makes available only the best connectivity to the best devices. It is the only telco in the Philippines with a dual band 4G HSPA+ network which gives smartphones and other mobile devices better signal reception, faster connection speeds, and better battery life. Together with its parent company, Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT), comprehensive upgrades are being made to transform the network into one that is more than ready to meet the demands of a data-driven future. Last year, Smart reported that it had detected a six-fold increase in mobile broadband use in its network. “We have recorded a tremendous increase in data consumption as evidenced by the spikes in usage,” said Smart chief wireless advisor Orlando Vea. “If there are still doubts about where the industry is headed, this should put an end to all speculation,” he added. To date, network elements such as fiber optic cables, wireless base stations, and international gateways have been modernized under the P67.1-billion endeavor. For more information on Smart’s postpaid plans, log on to www.smart.com.ph/postpaid or visit the nearest Smart Wireless Center.

Orange France to roll out hotspot 2.0 in early 2012

Orange France will follow rival SFR in launching 'hotspot 2.0' technology throughout the country in early 2012, Les Echos reports. Under the auspices of Wireless Broadband Alliance, operators are testing hotspot 2.0, intended to offer users the same experience regardless of where they connect, China, the US or elsewhere, somewhat like the 3G mobile standard, according to WBA vice president and France Telecom-Orange executive Cedric Gonin. The technology enables seamless transition from 3G to Wi-Fi. SFR, Orange and Bouygues have expanded their Wi-Fi networks by allowing customers to open their home WLANs to community members who have done the same. Orange did so in the Paris area in November 2011 and other parts of the country will be added soon. Mobile operators see Wi-Fi as a priority to regain the upper hand in the face of parallel networks operated by internet giants such as Microsoft's Skype and to nip network agnostic Wi-Fi dongle start-ups. Worldwide public hotspots are forecast to reach 5.8 million in 2015, 4.5 million in 2014, 3.3 million in 2013 and 2.1 million this year, compared to 1.3 million in 2011, according to Informa. Laptops account for some 48 percent of hotspot connections at present, ahead of smartphones with 36 percent, tablets with 10 percent and other devices with 6 percent. An Informa suvey found that 47 percent of mobile operators believe hotspots are now crucial to meet customer expectations, to relieve traffic on the mobile network and to diversify revenue streams.

Ericsson: First taste of 4G likely in 2012

Thailand is set to experience a full pace of 3G network expansion, along with a few planned 4G pilot projects, in 2012, says the Swedish telecom equipment maker Ericsson. Tablet-based enterprise mobility solutions and cloud-based services are likely to become new lucrative business models for mobile operators, giving them a new revenue stream in the mobile broadband era. Bunyati Kirdniyom, head for communications and regulatory affairs of Ericsson Thailand, said major mobile operators were likely to focus on 3G infrastructure expansion next year to serve increasing demand for mobile internet, driven mainly by the proliferation of smartphones and tablets. Thailand is likely to experience the initial long-term evolution (LTE) technology, known as 4G, next year, he said. Operators running on LTE networks could provide voice over LTE service for smartphone users, enabling high-quality IP-based voice services. Ericsson predicts that local mobile operators need to explore new business models to increase profitability. Mr Bunyati said Ericsson expects embedded mobile broadband (EMB) to become a common feature in notebooks in 2012 after the country adopts it as an optional feature for two years. EMB enables a device to make broadband connection without being limited to areas within ranges of wireless hot spots. Arun Bansal, Ericsson's head responsible for Southeast Asia and Oceania, said conventional business models relying on prices, speeds and sales volumes would become less effective. "In 2012, mobile operators are expected to adopt an innovative business approach common in the financial and airline sectors. The strategies will involve loyalty, user preferences, service customisation and tailor-made applications for enterprise," he said. Mr Bansal also said operators are expected to provide greater cloud service varieties to differentiate themselves from rivals. Mobile payment via Near Field Communications technology would play a key role next year. Collaboration between operators outside the telecom industry are likely to be seen in convergence services. On-demand and over-the-top TV solutions would continue growing.

Smart implements charge cap to block customers’ ‘bill shock’

SMART Communications, Inc. (Smart) is putting an end to unexpected mobile Internet charges as it introduces its new anti-bill shock feature. Unlike in the past, when charges continue to pile up because of unknown or unintentional use of data connectivity (e.g. via automatic app updates, location-based services, etc.), the new feature automatically kicks in to prevent overcharging. Starting today, Smart Data Lite Plans 500, 800 and 1,000 and iPhone Plans 999 and 2499 will enjoy the worry-free data charge cap without the need to enrol or sign up for a separate package. IPhone Plan 999 subscribers, for example, are allocated 250MB of data every month. Once the data allocation has been consumed, the regular charge of P10 for every 30 minutes of mobile Internet use will be billed above the monthly service fee (MSF). Charging cycle Regular data charging will continue until accumulated Internet charges reach P1,200, at which point, the plan will work like an unlimited data connection until the next billing cycle. “Not everyone is able to keep track of their data usage, which is why Smart subscribers need not register to the new anti-bill shock feature,” said Smart Mobile Marketing Head Guido Zaballero. “Now, both new and existing subscribers can enjoy the power of mobile Internet minus the hassle,” he said. “Smart makes available only the best connectivity to the best devices. It is the only telco in the Philippines with a dual band 4G HSPA+ network which gives smartphones and other mobile devices better signal reception, faster connection speeds, and better battery life,” the company said in a press statement. Increase in usage Last year, Smart reported that it detected a six-fold increase in mobile broadband use in its network. “We have recorded a tremendous increase in data consumption as evidenced by the spikes in usage,” said Smart Chief Wireless Advisor Orlando B. Vea. “If there are still doubts about where the industry is headed, this should put an end to all speculation,” he said.

PLDT, Smart rush network upgrade

The Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) and its wireless subsidiary Smart Communications Inc. have fast-tracked their P67.1-billion combined network modernization program, originally designed to take 3-years, and expect to complete it this year. The program was launched just last year. However, expecting stiffer competition as well as growing demand from businesses and consumers, the telcos are transforming their fixed and mobile infrastructure into robust high-speed and high-capacity networks within 2012, disclosed Napoleon L. Nazareno, PLDT president and CEO. “In fact, Phases I and II of the program was completed by end-2011 and the results are beginning to show in terms of new broadband products and services and improved network performance,” he added. Already, PLDT introduced its commercial fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) service in selected residential areas in Metro Manila, offering speeds of up to 100 mbps late last year, Simultaneously, PLDT continued shifting from its legacy landline system, the most extensive in the country, to all-IP Next Generation Network technologies, noted PLDT technology head Rolando G. Pena. For its part, Smart had fired up over 1,400 Evolved High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA+) base stations all over the country by end-2011. Combined with its over 3,000 HSPA base stations, it made up the country’s most pervasive high-speed mobile broadband network. At the same time, Smart continued its test deployments its Long-Term Evolution (LTE) or Fourth Generation (4G) mobile network in Metro Manila and other key urban centers nationwide. Smart’s enhancement of its mobile broadband networks is being complemented by its extensive fixed wireless broadband network using WiMax, WiFi and Canopy technologies. Last month, Smart announced that it would deploy “carrier-grade” WiFi internet access services not only in public buildings such as commercial centers but also in local neighborhoods.

Broadband to drive revenues

THE National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) said it expects broadband – both fixed-line and wireless – to drive revenues of the country’s telecom service providers in 2012. Edgardo Cabarios, director of NTC’s common carrier and authorization department, said that broadband usage will grow in "triple digits". As of the third quarter of 2011, Smart Communications, Digital Communications and Globe Telecoms had a combined broadband base of more than 4 million, just a fraction of the estimated 30 million Filipinos who are using the Internet. But the commission doubts if broadband usage will soon overtake the number of people still using the traditional call and text services. The three telcos have a combined traditional call and text subscriber base of more than 90 million. Cabarios said that although the revenue growth on SMS and voices has been declining while that of broadband is going up, the latter is not yet expected to overtake the contribution of the traditional call and text. Cabarios said that it will take "two to three years" before broadband revenues will overtake that of the traditional. As the trend is towards broadband, the two giant telecom firms – Philippne Long Distance Telephone Co. and Globe – have infused huge investments to expand their network infrastructure to meet the anticipated surge in traffic. PLDT committed to spend total of P67 billion to expand and upgrade the core, access and backroom support elements of its network for the next two years, while Globe set aside $790 million for its modernization program in the next five years to improve its services. The mobile subscribers were seen shifting to social networking sites from using SMS and voices. Cabarios said that during this holiday season, it was the first time that there was no report of network congestion. "The anticipated traffic did not occur, as more subscribers used social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter to greet their friends than send messages through text," Cabarios said.

PLDT, Smart speed up network modernization

Telecoms leader Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) and its wireless subsidiary Smart Communications have accelerated their combined network modernization program and expect to substantially complete its implementation this year. Launched in early 2011, PLDT’s P67.1-billion network upgrade program was originally designed to take three years. PLDT officials said that they aim to transform their fixed and mobile infrastructure into robust high-speed and high-capacity networks within 2012. “We’ve fast-tracked our program in anticipation of growing demand from businesses and consumers for improved broadband services as well as stiffer competition from other service providers,” PLDT president and CEO Napoleon Nazareno said. Phases I and II of the program was completed by end-2011 and the results are beginning to show in terms of new broadband products and services and improved network performance, he added. In late 2011, for example, PLDT introduced its commercial fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) service in selected residential areas in Metro Manila, offering unmatched speeds of up to 100 mbps. This is being done side by side PLDT’s continuing shift of its legacy landline system, the most extensive in the country, to all-IP Next Generation Network technologies, PLDT technology head Rolando Pena said. Meanwhile, by end-2011, Smart had fired up over 1,400 Evolved High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA+) base stations all over the country which, when combined with its over 3,000 HSPA base stations, make up the country’s most pervasive high-speed mobile broadband network in the country. At the same time, Smart continued its test deployments for its Long-Term Evolution (LTE) or Fourth Generation (4G) mobile network in Metro Manila and other key urban centers of the country. Smart’s enhancement of its mobile broadband networks is being complemented by its extensive fixed wireless broadband network using WiMax, WiFi and Canopy technologies. In December, Smart announced that it would deploy “carrier-grade” WiFi Internet access services not only in public buildings such as commercial centers but also in local neighborhoods. This would make broadband services much more accessible because of the pervasiveness of WiFi-enabled smart phones, tablets and notebooks, according to Orlando Vea, Smart’s chief wireless adviser and president and CEO of Digital Telecommunications Inc. The group noted that for Filipino consumers, the shift to the Internet was most evident in the way that web-enabled smart phones and tablets have captured the imagination of the public. The much-anticipated launch of Apple’s hugely successful iPhone 4S in the country in December had been preceded by the introduction of other popular devices such as Apple’s iPad2, Samsung’s 8.9 and 10.1” tablets, Blackberry Bold, Nokia E7, Sony Ericsson Xperia, HTC Sensation and Samsung Note. “As smart phones become more pervasive, more affordable and easier to use, more Filipinos are able to access the Internet and social media,” Vea said. “Mobile connectivity has gone beyond being able to just call and text. Filipinos are mobile and social at the same time. With social media penetration rate at 95 percent, virtually every Filipino that has access to the Web is on Facebook too,” he added. With smart phones accounting for less than 10 percent of the total handset population, there is plenty of head room for future growth. To help speed up the shift to smart phones, Smart introduced its “Netphone” coupled with its cloud-based service platform “SmartNet”. Affordably priced, the two initial Netphone models offered by Smart also offered SmartNet’s built-in suite of free-of-charge, always-on social networking and messaging apps. “Through the Netphone and SmartNet, we are making it possible for people to enjoy affordable, bite-size access to relevant Internet services like social media. In this way, we hope to push Internet usage beyond current limits and make these services available to much broader market,” Vea said. The introduction of new devices is being supported by new service access packages that provide subscribers a wide range of choices and price points, depending on their needs or preferences. These access packages can be time-based, volume-based or unlimited. PLDT officials stress that the foundation of all these efforts to promote ‘Internet for All’ is network modernization. This entails improving not only network access but also backbone transmission, international bandwidth and backroom processing and intelligence. “We’ve started work on our third international cable landing station in Daet, Camarines Sur, which will make our international connections more resilient and secure. That is vital considering that up to 80 percent of our Internet traffic goes to the United States and back,” Pena said. “By end-2011, we have about 45,000 kilometers of fiber optic cables in our network, providing not only backbone transmission linkages nationwide, but also linking our cell sites to base station controllers and to our mobile switches. Fiber will give us much greater capacity and reliability,” he added. “Clearly, we have built the most advanced network in the country. This translates to an enhanced experience and mobile lifestyle for Smart subscribers, and this is especially so for mobile Internet users,” Vea said. “To us, the key is to expand the array of options and deliver as many access points to our subscribers as possible, at costs that are within their means, regardless of the device that they have in their hands or in their homes, schools and offices. Whoever you are and however you use the Internet, PLDT and Smart make it easier for you,” he added.