Telcos heat up battle for post paid market

MANILA, Philippines - Rivals Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) and Globe Telecom Inc. launched new plans for subscribers as the battle in the postpaid segment of the telecommunication market continues to heat up.

Charles Lim, executive vice president and head of wireless consumer business of Smart Communications Inc. and Digitel Mobile Philippines Inc. (Sun Cellular), said the PLDT Group has launched the Unli Tri-Net Call & Text Plan 899 allowing postpaid customers unlimited voice and SMS connections to all mobile users subscribed to Smart, Sun Cellular and Talk ‘N Text.

Lim said the “ultimate” postpaid plan is designed to make unlimited calls and texts to over 72 million mobile users of the PLDT Group.

“No other unlimited postpaid plan has been designed to give three times more power connecting you to more than 70 percent of mobile phone users in the country. With the combined power of Smart and Sun Cellular’s mobile network, our subscribers are also assured of the most extensive and reliable coverage available under one postpaid plan,” he stressed.

Subscribers of the Unli Tri-Net Call & Text Plan 899 would also get to choose the smartphone of their choice from the lined-up handset offers of Smart and Sun Cellular.

“We have been offering a wide range of smartphones – from the high-end to entry-level models – bundled with our equally wide array of postpaid plans that suit our consumers’ budget and lifestyle,” Lim added.

The Unli Tri-Net Call and Text Plan 899 could also be upgraded with Smart’s Flexibundles or call, text and data packages that Smart postpaid subscribers can mix and match to power up their plans as well as Sun Cellular’s mobile Internet power up add-on that offers more affordable mobile Internet rates with the discounted bundles.

“With these special postpaid plan features, our subscribers can personalize their plan and make the most of their smartphone through our data services. They can continuously enjoy social networking, mobile browsing or using apps, even without Wi-Fi,” he said.

Meanwhile, Globe launched a new roster of exclusive devices paired with its fully-customizable Globe mySUPERPLAN to attract subscribers to upgrade to postpaid and experience services beyond calls and texts.

Raul Macatangay, head of postpaid business and devices at Globe, said the plans are open to subscribers who want to upgrade to a Long Term Evolution (LTE) smartphone for fast mobile surfing and video streaming, who want access to their favorite TV shows on mobile can upgrade the unlimited mobile experience, and looking for a new gaming experience.

“Globe sustains postpaid momentum in 2014 as we launch our new portfolio of devices that give new subscribers the levelled-up postpaid experience,” he stressed.

He pointed out that devices available under the new plans include the Globe LTE-exclusive Huawei Ascend G526 LTE, Cloudfone Excite 451TV, and the Globe LTE-exclusive Nokia Lumia 1320.

“From a smartphone that gives you access to your favorite TV shows, an affordable device that lets you enjoy LTE, to a gaming device that allows you to play XBox games wherever, whenever, our latest handset offers are set to provide the premium postpaid experience beyond calls and texts. Pair up these devices with Globe mySUPERPLAN and enjoy the wonderful world of postpaid from the telco who knows postpaid best,” he added.