Tags: Technology Industry, Telecommunications
By Alexander Villafania
MAKATI CITY, METRO MANILA – The rivalry between Globe Telecom and Smart Communications is going beyond “call and text” and spilling over into a new turf: mobile Internet.
Globe recently announced the introduction of its web-based mobile data portal called “M.Globe” service, aimed at providing free basic services, particularly updates on popular social networking sites.
The service is available to Globe subscribers using just about any handset though it is largely targeted at users with Internet-ready devices such as Android mobile phones.
An M.Globe Android widget (application installed on a device) allows users to post and receive updates on Facebook and Twitter, access email, download video clips and songs, among other rich content.
Ostensibly, Globe’s launch of the M.Globe service comes just a day after its chief rival Smart Communications introduced a similar web-based application called SmartNet, which is at the core of Smart’s company-branded mobile device called Netphone.
Despite differences in look and feel, SmartNet and M.Globe have nearly-identical features, inclusive of easy-to-use buttons to access regular text messaging-based services such as account balance inquiry.
Mobile Web ‘minus the hassle’
At a press conference at its Jump concept hub at the SM Megamall, executives of Smart Communications showcased the capabilities of the Netphone, particularly the widgets that come with it. Some of the widgets have been localized to entice users to access Philippine-based content or services.
The Netphone, made by Chinese device maker ZTE and runs on runs Google’s Android 2.2 (Froyo) , is priced at P9,900 for the prepaid kit or free under an P800 per month postpaid plan. I
Orlando Vea, who co-founded Smart and now serves as its “Chief Wireless Advisor”, says the primary goal of the Netphone is to get more people to start using data on their mobile phones more than they would on text messaging and voice calls.
“The idea is to appeal to mass markets regarding data use minus the hassles and also to lessen the shock of having to maintain the cost of Internet access,” Vea said.
But while Smart touts the Netphone as its flagship device, the relatively unheard of cloud computing platform SmartNet is what the company hopes to make the Netphone’s services work for its target mass market.
SmartNet is essentially an Internet portal wherein Netphone users can access specific applications, particularly social networking services such as Twitter and Facebook. The social networking aspect of SmartNet would be made available for free when the Netphone is officially sold commercially.
One feature of SmartNet called “Safe Browse” is controlling what applications can automatically access the Internet, ideally for time-based wireless Internet access and useful for users who are not familiar with regular Internet data charges.
Smart is also looking to introduce this feature on other mobile platforms, particularly Apple’s IOS operating system and Microsoft Windows Mobile 7. A desktop PC version of SmartNet is also in the works.
“The idea is to create an integrated communications process among subscribers on any device, be it mobile or on a desktop computer,” said Smart Developer Community Relations Head Mitch Padua.
‘Every phone is a netphone’
M.Globe, meanwhile, is available for free to Globe’s prepaid and postpaid subscribers. The only requirement is for users are to register Globe numbers to start using M.Globe.
On the other hand, accessing other online services that are not offered by Globe would incur normal mobile data charges of P0.25 per minute or through bucket-priced access promos.
“Every phone is a netphone,” said Globe Senior Consumer Business Advisor Peter Bithos during M.Globe’s official launch, obviously in reference to Smart’s Netphone device.
Bithos says M.Globe’s social network update services would remain indefinitely free though they are looking at other possible data services where the company could generate additional income.
“Some of these services will come in the following months as we expect growth in data usage among subscribers,” he said.
The one-day in-between launch of both Smart and Globe services is indicating the continued rivalry of both companies, which are hoping to draw more users to start using Internet data services on their mobile phones, and eventually cashing in on the potential boom in mobile Internet data services.
Mobile telecommunications providers in the Philippines have been longing to earn more out of their networks beyond voice and text messaging services, which has seen a steady decline in revenues over the years due to stiff competition.
Just recently, research firm Ovum predicted a data boom in the mobile space across Asia Pacific countries though the challenge – and the burden – will fall on mobile services providers who must ensure quality of service amid increasing data traffic.
Still, telcos are still trying to lure their 80 million mobile subscribers to start accessing Internet services on their mobile phones.
Current estimates put the number of mobile Internet users in the Philippines at five million, which could increase in the coming months as cheaper mobile phones with Internet capabilities are made available, and telcos build faster mobile data infrastructure.
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