InterAksyon.com
The online news portal of TV5
MANILA, Philippines – Smart Communications Inc. forecasts a surge in smartphone use this year.
Orlando B. Vea, Smart chief wireless advisor, said smartphone use doubled in the final four months of 2011 given strong demand for mobile Internet and the introduction of new devices.
“Our subscribers have responded very well to our attractive and innovative smartphone offer campaigns, particularly in the second half of the year. 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.
The country’s leading mobile phone service provider said use of Google’s Android surged 300 percent, followed by BlackBerry with 66 percent, and Apple iOS with 62 percent.
The figures are based on a series of one-day snapshots of Smart’s network taken every month.
Last year, Smart launched the Netphone 701, the Samsung Galaxy Y, the SmartNet suite of applications, and the Apple iPhone 4S.
“The growth of iOS is significant given that Smart started offering iPhones only last December 2011,” Vea said.
So far this year, Smart has launched Samsung Galaxy Nexus, a smartphone using the Android 4 operating system.
“We are encouraged with the results: on one hand, it shows that demand for Internet-capable phones has risen, and on the other, that Filipinos want to get the most out of
their devices by going with Smart,” said Vea.
Smart and parent firm Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. are spending P67.1 billion to upgrade their network.
