Smart releases new app for Web surfing

MANILA, Philippines — Smart Communications, Inc. has released a new mobile apps that gives users mobile access to social networking applications even without Wi-Fi access.

“PowerApp is the world’s first mobile Internet storefront which gives users the ability to access their favorite mobile apps and sites without the need for a Wi-Fi connection, making the experience truly mobile,” Smart said in a press release.

Available applications that can be viewed through PowerApp are Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare, Google Plus, LinkedIn, Path, and Waze.

The service, according to Smart, will be made available until January 15, 2014 to prepaid and postpaid subscribers of Smart and Talk ‘N Text.

Aside from the social media use, PowerApp also offers other bundles such as Email, Chat, and Photo packages.

Android users can download the application via Google Play and register for the Free Social Package, originally priced at P20 for one day (Social20) or P10 for 3 hours (Social10).

iOS and feature phone users can also text FREE SOCIAL to 5555 (for Smart Prepaid, Postpaid, Infinity and Talk ‘N Text) 9990 (for Smart Freedom Plan subscribers) or 7577 (for Smart Postpaid All-In users) to avail of the promotion.

source: interaksyon.com

PLDT group provides free call stations in typhoon-hit areas

MANILA – Smart Communications, Inc. has installed free call services in Tacloban City and other areas as restorations works for the company’s network services in typhoon-ravaged areas are still underway.

The free call station, which used satellite services in partnership with Telecoms Sans Frontieres (TSF), was held at the police station near the city hall and started yesterday afternoon until evening. The company said that they expect to resume service today at the same location to rescue groups and affected residents.

“Tacloban is one of the most devastated areas in the Visayas with power and regular communication lines still down. Smart, as part of the Emergency Communications Cluster helping the government, flew in twice yesterday satellite and other telco equipment.” Ramon R. Isberto, Smart public affairs group head, said.

Smart said that its satellite services have likewise been extended to various institutional partners and local government units to expedite post-disaster response coordination.

Meanwhile, free call services from the Sun Cellular network can also be used at the Smart Retail Store in Ormoc City and in Tubigon Community Hospital in Potohan, Tubigon, Bohol.

The public may also proceed to the San Francisco municipal hall in Camotes, Cebu care of NTC-7, and the Smart cell sites in Roxas City proper and Sta. Fe in Cebu for free charging of mobile phone batteries.

Libreng Tawag stations were earlier made available in certain areas in Iloilo, Masbate and Mindoro.

Network restoration

Meanwhile, restoration of Smart and Sun networks in areas most affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda are now in full swing.

Network services have been restored in the following areas: Cabulihan, Maasin in Southern Leyte and the municipalities of Matalom, Bato, Hilongos, Macrohon and Hindang in Leyte; San Carlos, Negros Oriental; Bantayan Island, Cebu; Calatrava, Negros Occidental; Dimiao, Bohol; Badiangan, Ajuy-Culasi, Cabatuan, Anilao, Banate, Maasin, PD Monfort, Janjuay, Sta. Barbara, Leganes, Barotac Nuevo, Pavia, San Miguel, Dumangas, Alimodian, Sta. Barbara, Tiwi, Barotac Nuevo, Mina, Dingle, Zarraga, Pototan in Iloilo, and all of Masbate except for Mobo, Cataingan, Palanas, and Pio V. Corpuz.

Network services have been operational since yesterday in Ormoc City in Leyte as well in the following areas in Western Samar: Calbayog City, Calbiga, City of Catbalogan, Daram, Gandara, Jiabong, Macrohon,
Matuguinao, Paranas (Wright), San Jose de Buan, Santa Margarita, Tarangnan, Villareal.

Because of the post-disaster effects of the Typhoon Yolanda, the company encouraged subscribers of Sun in the Visayas to use the Smart network to boost their network signal by doing the following: go to their phone settings, choose Operator selection, choose Manual, and select SMART. Then return to Automatic mode. This can be used for call, text and data services. This will allow subscribers to use the Smart network while network enhancements for Sun is ongoing. The same rates and rules apply as if the subscriber is on the Sun network.

This service for Sun is available in the following areas in the Visayas; Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Cebu, Eastern Samar, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Northern Samar, Siquijor, Southern Leyte, Leyte and Western Samar. Queries can be directed to Sun Hotline 200.

Accepting donations

Smart and Sun subscribers can also use text facilities to donate to the victims of Typhoon Yolanda. For donations to the Philippine Red Cross, subscribers can text RED and send to 4143. Ex: RED 100. Denominations accepted are for P10, P24, P50, P100, P300, P500 and P1000.

source: interaksyon.com

No more ‘dead spots’ for cellular mobile devices — Smart

MANILA, Philippines — Smart Communications Inc. on Monday said it has started testing on its network a boosting device that eliminates the “dead spots” inside homes and offices.

In a statement, Smart said the Cel-Fi device can dramatically improve mobile reception for voice and data in enclosed spaces.

“Cel-Fi offers a lot of promise because it functions much like a personal cell site and boosts the network performance in corners where signal strength is challenged,” Orlando B. Vea, Smart co-founder and chief wireless advisor said.

“As the leader in wireless services, Smart has continually been on the lookout for new technologies that can enhance the consumers’ mobile experience and offer the best value for them,” he added.

Cel-Fi addresses indoor dead spots by tapping at least one bar of available 3G signal and amplifying it, effectively boosting both 3G and 4G HSPA+ mobile connectivity throughout a specific area.

Designed by US-based Nextivity, the user-friendly device can handle 60 simultaneous calls and support high-speed connections reaching 42 Mbps in an area of up to 1,200 sq. m., making it ideal for homes and small offices.

Compliant with the strict standards of the Federal Communications Commission, Cel-Fi is authorized for use by 120 mobile operators around the world, including AT&T and T-Mobile.

source: interaksyon.com

Engineers working to fully restore Sun Cellular mobile services in Bohol, Cebu

Operations of Sun Cellular in Bohol and Cebu—which were hard-hit by a major earthquake this morning—have been affected, the company said in a statement.

However, engineers are “working to normalize services shortly,” said Smart Communications Inc., which acquired Sun Cellular, in a statement.

Smart also said that its mobile phone service in Bohol and Cebu remains “remains largely operational despite the damage inflicted on some cell sites and network facilities by the magnitude 7.2 earthquake that hit Central Visayas early this morning.”

Since electricity is unavailable in parts of Bohol and Cebu, Smart will be “deploying generator sets to power key cell sites and keep mobile phone and internet services running,” the company said in an announcement.

“We are also setting up free call services and free mobile phone charging stations in affected towns and municipalities to assist residents as well as emergency agencies involved in rescue and relief operations,” it added.

Smart Communications Inc. is the mobile phone unit of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT), which is led by Manuel V. Pangilinan, who also chairs TV-5.

source: interaksyon.com

Enjoy Smart’s super fast and wide 4G LTE coverage with Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3”

Enjoy the latest perks of Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) as the country’s largest fourth-generation (4G) Long Term Evolution (LTE) continues to expand its super fast coverage not just in Metro Manila but in more areas as well.

Smart LTE is now present in over 170 cities and municipalities across the country, including the province of Rizal, North Luzon, South Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao.  Smart LTE also covers all 17 cities and municipalities of Caloocan, Las Piñas, Makati, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Manila, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Parañaque, Pasay, Pasig, Pateros, Quezon City, San Juan, Taguig, and Valenzuela.

“We foresee how access to a reliable and pervasive LTE network can help create so many new ways for our subscribers to benefit from the technology. These benefits include access to multimedia entertainment, and the use of technology as a tool for education, health, governance, among others,” said Rolando G. Peña, head of technology at Smart and its parent company PLDT.

“By continuously expanding our LTE coverage, we are ‘investing’ in local communities and economies, and making sure that the best of our services are available to our subscribers, wherever they are in the country,” added Peña.

The increasing number of areas covered allows Smart subscribers using LTE-compatible devices to wirelessly access the Internet at speeds of up to 42 megabytes per second (Mbps). This means enjoying movies or videos, uploading or downloading photos, among others, on their mobile device with no lag, no buffering, and no delays.

To get more people to experience and take advantage of LTE, Smart disclosed that that it will exclusively carry the new Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3”, one of the world’s most advanced Android ‘phablets’. A phablet is a ‘hybrid’ category of smartphones that offer the supersized screen of a tablet.

Available at Smart All-In Plan 1200*, and free at Unli Data Plan 2000, the Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3” is the largest LTE-capable smartphone in the market today, bringing into one handy device the perfect combination of super-fast LTE connectivity and the maximized viewing experience of a phablet.

“In the same way that this phablet is the perfect device for people who cannot quite decide whether to get a smartphone or a tablet, so is Smart LTE the perfect ‘partner’ to a device as advanced as the Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3”,” said Smart Postpaid Business Head Kathy Carag.

“Not only is Smart LTE faster and more reliable, but it is also the Philippines’ most widely-available LTE service. This ensures that users can maximize their Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3” and enjoy its features right in the areas where they live, work and play,” added Carag.

Smart’s expanded LTE coverage is supported by over 71,000 kilometers of fiber optic cables connecting the wireless leader’s base stations to the core network, enabling it and its parent company PLDT to deliver the best data services at the speed of light.

For more information on other Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3” offers and to know more about Smart’s postpaid plans, visit www.smart.com.ph/postpaid.

source: interaksyon.com