Mobile Internet surge boosts Smart revenues by P1B

April 3, 2013 12:58pm


Growing mobile Internet use among Filipinos boosted Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) revenues by P1 billion last year—or 56 percent—for a total of P2.6 billion, the telecommunications firm disclosed Wednesday.

Smart also reported a P200-million increase in wireless broadband revenues during the same period due to the spreading popularity of wireless broadband usage.

According to Kathy Carag, Smart’s Postpaid Business Head, the company is offering more affordable data plans in response to the increasing demand for mobile Internet connection.

“Our 3G, HSPA+ and LTE coverage has improved in the past few month,” she said. “More people are enjoying the benefits of instant Internet access on their portable devices.”

For its Smart Bro FlexiSurf post-paid broadband, Smart makes available the latest mobile Internet devices (MIDs) such as tablets and laptops at amortized prizes even without a credit card.

As a result, FlexiSurf contributed greatly to the 132 percent increase in Smart Bro mobile post-paid subscribers, according to Smart Broadband Internet and Data Services head Lloyd Manaloto.

Demand for such services, combined with increased need for on-the-go WiFi connectivity, will continue to climb in the future, Manaloto projected. — KBK, GMA New