Smart ‘Netphone’ sales surge to ‘record levels’

Sales of Smart Communications’ corporate-branded “Netphone” have reached record levels, making it the best- and fastest-selling device the company has ever carried. In a statement over the weekend, the company attributed the success of the Netphone, built by Chinese manufacturer Huawei, to the combination of its state-of-the-art features and affordability. “We have seen tremendous spikes in smartphone sales from both ends of the market—Netphone sales alone have reached the 100,000 mark and has since been the best- and fastest-selling smartphone in the company’s history,” Smart Broadband Internet and Data services head Gio Bacareza said. He said the success of the Netphone exhibited the Filipino market’s willingness to switch to smartphones, at the right price point. Launched late last year, the Netphone refers to a line of devices powered by Google’s Android operating system. The device also features several applications developed by Smart. Bacareza likewise said its sales of the Apple iPhone, which Smart is offering for the first time, “have exceeded all expectations making it most sought-after premium smartphone from Smart.” Smart earlier reported a doubling of the number of subscribers using smartphones in its network during the last four months of 2011. This is in line with the 54.7-percent growth in worldwide smartphone sales, Smart said, citing a report from International Data Corp. (IDC). Smart said making more devices available was part of its strategy to increase demand for more profitable mobile data services. Under its P67.1-billion modernization program, Smart, together with its parent company Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT), is set to complete the rollout of its fourth-generation (4G) wireless network by June 2012.