PLDT, NTT join forces to serve Pinoy’s in Japan

MANILA, Philippines – Telecommunications and digital services provider Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) has tied up with NTT Communications to provide bundled mobile Internet with free calls and remittance services to Filipinos in Japan.

The new service called Smart World launched by PLDT Global Corp.’s (PGC) PLDT JP GK last April 15 is expected to benefit roughly 270,000 Filipinos residing in Japan.

PLDT president and chief executive officer Manuel V. Pangilinan said the partnership with NTT Communications would ensure the nationwide coverage of the new service in Japan through leading mobile operator NTT Docomos’ extensive 3G and LTE networks.

Through Smart World, Filipinos in Japan would be linked to a total of 70 million mobile subscribers of PLDT’s wireless subsidiaries Smart Communications Inc. and Sun Cellular.

“Our new offering – Smart World – empowers the digital lifestyle of Filipinos in Japan through a mobile data SIM bundled with a pocket WIFI in a monthly prepaid subscription,” Eric Alberto, PLDT executive vice president and head of enterprise, international, and carrier business said.

Through the prepaid subscription service, subscribers can choose from four monthly base plans of 10GB + monthly freebies, 7GB + monthly freebies, 5GB + monthly freebies, or 3GB + monthly freebies.

The service is available at a minimum price of ¥4,200 excluding consumption tax.

Alberto said the new mobile data service comes bundled with a set of other services such as free remittance transaction of up to JPY100,000 once a month, free calls and text messages to the Philippines, and free calls to other popular international destinations.

Smart World also offers a free Philippine mobile number subscription which can be used by those in the Philippines to make calls and send messages to Filipinos in Japan at Philippine rates.

“With all these attractive features, Smart World makes it so much easier and more convenient for Filipinos in Japan to keep in touch with their loved ones back home and in over 10 other countries where they might have family and friends to call,” Alex Caeg, PLDT senior vice president and PGC chief executive officer said.

Following the launch of the bundle, PLDT JP GK general manager John Palanca said the group has plans of offering other services to cater to Filipinos in Japan.