Prepaid Internet service targets more Filipinos

MANILA, Philippines - More and more Filipinos are getting online. Based on industry statistics, from about a million Internet users in 2003, the number of Filipinos with access to Internet has reached to about five million regular users in 2006. However, many Filipinos still do not enjoy Internet connection. The high cost and slow speed of dial up access to the World Wide Web is a deterrent to a huge chunk of the population. To address these concerns, Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) recently launched a prepaid broadband Internet service that is seen to lower the cost of getting online, thus democratizing access to the Internet. Called Smart Bro Prepaid, the service is offered by Smart’s wholly-owned subsidiary Smart Broadband, Inc. The new service makes the Internet available to more Filipinos with its affordable pricing, nationwide coverage and easy reloading schemes. To access the Internet, subscribers need a small USB device called Smart Bro Plug-It. There is no need to download any special software to be able to use the Smart Brio Plug-It for Windows operating system users. The plug can be hooked into a desktop PC or laptop in an instant by just connecting it to the USB port. The Smart Bro Plug-It works as a radio receiver that connects the user to Smart’s nationwide wireless broadband network. This wide network allows users to access the Internet practically anywhere in the country. Mr. Bong Mojica, Smart wireless consumer division head, said offering prepaid broadband to the market provides an opportunity for the company to leverage on its strength in mobile telephones. "Internet access has become a must for any country’s development. It has become a basic tool for communications, education, commerce, social interaction, governance and the delivery of social services," Mr. Mojica said in a statement. The Philippines, however, has one of the lowest Internet penetration in the region. He added that unserved demand for Internet access is estimated at 15 million connections. The Smart Bro Prepaid kit is priced at P4,500. The kit already includes the Smart Bro Plug-it USB modem, a SIM card, and P30 worth of free broadband load which can be readily used for up to one hour and 30 minutes of high-speed Internet access. Smart Bro Prepaid connects to Smart’s HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) network at speeds of up to 384 kbps for an easy online experience. This is supposed to be up to four times faster than usual dial-up Internet connection available. Subscribers can easily reload their account at over a million Smart Load outlets across the country or by using any Smart Bro Load Card. Smart Bro Prepaid charges P10 for every 30 minutes. That means that even if a customer uses the broadband service to check the Internet for five minutes, they will be charged P10. The pricing scheme does not favor Internet users who are on the go or who just check the Internet for for a few minutes. Those who stay online for a long time, however, will welcome Smart Bro Prepaid’s rates that are 50% more affordable than wireless Internet services.