The number of Internet-enabled smartphones in the country is expected to spike in 2012 as telecommunications networks offer more affordable data plans to complement the increasingly affordable devices that manufacturers are churning out.
In a statement, Smart Communications Inc. said the number of smartphones on its network doubled in the last quarter of 2011 alone due to the growing demand for mobile Internet and increased availability of devices.
“Our subscribers have responded very well to our attractive and innovative smartphone-offer campaigns, particularly in the second half of the year,” Smart chief wireless advisor Orlando B. Vea said.
“At the same time, our network modernization program, which is far ahead of the competition, is already delivering a superior mobile Internet experience to our subscribers today,” he said.
He noted a steep rise in the use of the top three mobile operating systems in its network.
Devices running on Google’s Android operating system tallied the highest increase at 300 percent, followed by BlackBerry, 66 percent, and Apple iOS, 62 percent.
The figures were culled from a series of one-day snapshots of Smart’s network taken every month.
“The growth of iOS is significant given that Smart started offering iPhones only last December 2011,” Vea said.
Vea said he expects the growth to accelerate in 2012 as more Filipinos hop on to the mobile Internet bandwagon.
In mid-2011, Smart launched the affordable Netphone 701, followed by the introduction of the Samsung Galaxy Y Netphone edition, which feature Google’s Android mobile operating system and the SmartNet suite of applications.
SmartNet allows subscribers to check on their balance in real time, chat with other Netphone users for free, and search and add contacts from the cloud.
In December, Smart further diversified its smartphone portfolio by offering the popular Apple iPhone 4S. Going by its slogan of “Everyone deserves an iPhone,” Smart now also offers the iPhone plans, which start at Plan 999, or P999 a month.
In a separate statement, rival Globe Telecom also attributed the growth in smartphone use to the cheaper data plans.
“To keep up with the growing demand for smartphones and mobile Internet use in the Philippines, Globe Telecom has beefed up its portfolio of smartphone plans with unlimited access to mobile browsing,” the company said.
In particular, Globe highlighted its “My Super Plan Unli Surf Combos,” the country’s first-ever range of fully customizable unlimited data plans. It provides users with uninterrupted mobile surfing, their gadget of choice, consumable monthly load, and freebies all in one single subscription.
My Super Plan Unli Surf Combo is designed for tech-savvy subscribers who want to make the most of their devices. “This way, they can be online wherever they are, minus the fear of hidden charges or the hassle of searching for WiFi spots,” said Martha Sazon, head of Globe Postpaid.