Smart Telecom To Launch A New Home-Base Broadband System Dubbed Volterra

Telecom news ladies and gentlemen, hot on the heels, Smart is up to introduce an upgrade to their existing Smart Bro system which promises faster internet data connection for home broadband! Its codenamed Volterra for time being, a pretty catchy name which actually relates to a complex mathematical algorithm with a wide range of applications.

In the digital world, this system is enhanced as a Digital Pre-Distortion Solution for Wideband RF Power Amplifier Linearization. The adaptive digital pre-distortion solution it presents extends the linear range of power amplifiers, and in combination with crest factor reduction, enables RF power amplifiers to be driven harder and more efficiently while meeting transmit spectral efficiency and modulation accuracy requirements. I know these words were horrifying being too technical, but in simple terms, it's just a mere tweak to the existing 3G and CDMA signal technology of Smart to make them perform faster than ever before.

Faster connectivity results to, yes, you got it right, higher price and so Smart will introduce a new price bundles with it to compensate. Fret not my budget restricted friends, the current packages will not be scrapped, Volterra is just an add-on to the existing offers, targeted to data hungry and can-afford consumers.

No words yet from the company as to how fast this new system is, the price of its packages, the covered areas, nor the official launch date. But one thing is for sure, Smart will take the Broadband war to the next level and I salute them for doing so.

Interesting events up ahead ladies and gents, braise yourself.

Read More

Smart Telecom's Complete Nokia Lumia 925 Postpaid Packages

The Nokia Lumia 925 is one of the top tear Windows Phone device at the moment. It had a stylish metal framework design, thin and lightweight, and geared with innovative front line strides with its 8.7MP Carl Zeiss Tessar lens, the critically renowned PureView camera technology, the most advance aperture and sensor settings that gives the best low light shots, the best screen display with PureMotion HD+ screen and Clear Black Display technology, the latest software applications like the Nokia Smart Camera mode and Nokia Smart Camera, on top of Nokia and Windows Phone services like Here Maps and Navigation tools, Nokia Music and so much more.

Smart Telecom, the Philippines largest telecom network, is the exclusive partner of Nokia for the Nokia Lumia 925 and its currently being offered competitively under the following Postpaid Plan packages:

ALL-IN PLAN (24 Months Lock-in)
PLAN	CASH OUT PRICE	SERVICES
500	P19,000.00	Could be use in one or combination of the following as long as it doesn't go beyond the 500 limit: *Sun Talk (PhP99) - 50 minutes call to Sun for 30 days *Sun Text (PhP99) -  1000 text to Sun for 30 days *Internet Bundle (100) - 8 hours of mobile browsing for 30 days *Sun Combo (PhP199) - 1250 text and 50 minutes call to Sun for 30 days *Internet Bundle (PhP200) - 20 hours of mobile browsing for 30 days *IDD Bundle Saver (PhP200) - Call abroad at local rates + free 5 minutes of international call   *All Net Talk (PhP250) - 80 minutes of call to Smart, TnT, Sun for 30 days *Trio Talk (PhP300) - 300 minutes of call to Smart, TnT, Sun and PLDT + 2000 text to all network + 150MB worth of mobile browsing for 30 Days *All Net Text Upgrade (PhP350) - 3,500 text to Smart, TnT and Sun for 30 days * Unli Tri Net Text (PhP350) - Unlimited call to Smart and TnT for 30 days  * Tri Net (PhP400) - 500 minutes of call to Smart, TnT, Sun and PLDT + 2000 text to all network + 150MB worth of mobile browsing for 30 Days * Unli-Talk (PhP500)- Unlimited call to Smart and TnT for 30 days * International Flexi Call and Text (PhP500) - 400 minutes of call or international text to USA Canada Hong Kong and Singapore for 30 days.
800	P16,500.00	Same services as Plan 500 and as long as it doesn't go beyond the 800 limit, plus: *Unli Call and Text (600) - Unlimited call and text to Smart and Tnt for 30 days
1200	P12,500.00	Same services as Plan 800 as long as it doesn't go beyond the 1200 limit, plus: *Always On (995) - 20GB worth of mobile browsing for 30 days *Unlimited Call and Text Combo (999) - Unlimited call and text to Smart and Tnt + 1GB worth of mobile browsing for 30 days *Unli Surf (1000) - Unlimited browsing for 30 days
1800	P3,000.00	Same services as Plan 1200 as long as it doesn't go beyond the 1800 limit
2500	FREE	Same services as Plan 1200 as long as it doesn't go beyond the 2500 limit

LTE PLAN (24 Months Lock-in)
PLAN	CASH OUT PRICE	SERVICES
1500	P5,500.00	120 Free Text to all networks 60 minutes Free Call to all networks 1.5 GB Data
2000	FREE	*200 Free Text to all networks *150 minutes Free Call to all networks 1.5 GB Data

Best package of the bunch of course is the All-Unli Plan 1800 because it offers all possible package combinations, and yet users have to shell out only PhP3,000.00.

The problem though is that the phone, as of press time, is currently Sold Out due either to high demand or low supply, and so getting one is on a reservation basis via Smart Store. 

Read More

Nokia Lumia 920 Sold Out In Smart Telecom

Only a few days after Smart Telecom officially post the availability of the Nokia Lumia 920, its now tagged sold out online, a scenario very much similar worldwide, few days after its initial release.

Well, the mesmeric appeal of the phone cannot be denied, not only that it became the gadget of the year among the critic's circle and tech sites, its also currently the highest selling Windows Phone device to date, but besides, I'm still surprise given the fact that Nokia already announced another flagship, the Nokia Lumia 925 with the Nokia EOS looming in the horizon.

Smart have not release the official count yet as to the number of units sold but according to my reliable source, its a sizable number given the long reservation lists. Another batch is coming for the next two weeks so better go to the nearest Smart Store to reserved yours. Its in first come, first serve basis.

CLICK HERE for the full matrix of Smart Telecom's Nokia Lumia 920 postpaid package.

Read More

Smart Telecom's Nokia Lumia 920 Postpaid Package

I encountered quite a number of emails and blog comments asking what happened to the joint announcement of Nokia Philippines and Smart Communications in offering the Nokia Lumia 920, well, finally after almost two months of complete silence from both camp, Smart unveiled the Nokia Lumia 920 postpaid package at a very desirable price.

Package matrix are as follows:

ALL UNLI PLAN (24 Months Lock-in)
PLAN	CASH OUT PRICE	SERVICES
500	P18,500.00	Could be use in one or combination of the following as long as it doesn't go beyond the 500 limit: *Sun Talk (PhP99) - 50 minutes call to Sun for 30 days *Sun Text (PhP99) -  1000 text to Sun for 30 days *Internet Bundle (100) - 8 hours of mobile browsing for 30 days *Sun Combo (PhP199) - 1250 text and 50 minutes call to Sun for 30 days *Internet Bundle (PhP200) - 20 hours of mobile browsing for 30 days *IDD Bundle Saver (PhP200) - Call abroad at local rates + free 5 minutes of international call   *All Net Talk (PhP250) - 80 minutes of call to Smart, TnT, Sun for 30 days *Trio Talk (PhP300) - 300 minutes of call to Smart, TnT, Sun and PLDT + 2000 text to all network + 150MB worth of mobile browsing for 30 Days *All Net Text Upgrade (PhP350) - 3,500 text to Smart, TnT and Sun for 30 days * Unli Tri Net Text (PhP350) - Unlimited call to Smart and TnT for 30 days  * Tri Net (PhP400) - 500 minutes of call to Smart, TnT, Sun and PLDT + 2000 text to all network + 150MB worth of mobile browsing for 30 Days * Unli-Talk (PhP500)- Unlimited call to Smart and TnT for 30 days * International Flexi Call and Text (PhP500) - 400 minutes of call or international text to USA Canada Hong Kong and Singapore for 30 days.
800	P14,000.00	Same services as Plan 500 and as long as it doesn't go beyond the 800 limit, plus: *Unli Call and Text (600) - Unlimited call and text to Smart and Tnt for 30 days
1200	P10,000.00	Same services as Plan 800 as long as it doesn't go beyond the 1200 limit, plus: *Always On (995) - 20GB worth of mobile browsing for 30 days *Unlimited Call and Text Combo (999) - Unlimited call and text to Smart and Tnt + 1GB worth of mobile browsing for 30 days *Unli Surf (1000) - Unlimited browsing for 30 days
1800	P5,500.00 or FREE (30 Months)	Same services as Plan 1200 as long as it doesn't go beyond the 1800 limit
2500	FREE	Same services as Plan 1200 as long as it doesn't go beyond the 2500 limit

UNLI DATA PLAN (REGULAR OR LTE) (24 Months Lock-in)
PLAN	CASH OUT PRICE	SERVICES
1500	P6000.00 or FREE (30 months)	*120 Free Text to all networks *60 minutes Free Call to all networks
2000	FREE	*200 Free Text to all networks *150 minutes Free Call to all networks

Best package of the bunch is of course the All-Unli Plan 1800 with 30 months lock-in period because not only that it offers the Nokia Lumia 920 for free, users also get to choose all possible package combinations as long as it doesn't go beyond the limit amount.

I have a plan package from Globe Telecom of unlimited call and text to Globe and 100MB of data for 599, now if I'll get this package, its like getting the phone by installment of about P1200.00 for 30 months, and get P1,000.00 worth of Smart services more than what I recently enjoy, marvelous isn't it? If only I'm not tied to Globe for a few months more, I would had been very glad to switch.

Till then I guess with Smart Communications that time offering the Nokia EOS instead?

Read More

Nokia announces new Philippine GM and Nokia Lumia 920’s exclusive availability via Smart Telecom

Nokia announces the appointment of Karel Holub as its new General Manager in the Philippines. The Czech native Karel brings to Nokia Philippines an impressive abundance of management expertise from his sixteen-year career in the telecommunications industry – eight of which he spent at Nokia - in relationship management with, developers, operators, distributors and retailers; and an impressive background in tactical planning for promotions and retail merchandising, including marketing communication and delivery of strategic messages across all touch points.

Karel, who prior to this assignment, was the General Manager for South CIS countries based in Kazakhstan, where he contributed greatly in transforming the Nokia mobile phone operations in the emerging markets of Caucasus, Central Asia and Mongolia from export mode to domestic mode. Besides Nokia, Karel has also worked at Mobil.cz, Celadon Group, GOOGGI/Digitania Czech Republic and Vodafone Czech Republic.He is replacing Dharmesh Ghoshalia who chose to move back to Greece for personal reasons.

His current assignment coincides with the launch of the Lumia 920 smartphone and the announcement of SMART Telecoms’ exclusive partnership to carry Nokia’s high-end smartphone.

The Lumia 920, Nokia’s latest offering is now available in the Philippines. The smartphone comes with new features combined with the latest innovations. Nokia fans consider the Lumia 920 a major upgrade from its predecessor.

Nokia’s new flagship phone offers several innovative features: a 4.5 inch screen that uses PureMotion HD+ technology exclusive to Nokia, a 1.5 GHz dual core processor, an 8.7 megapixel camera and Microsoft Windows Phone 8 OS. However, more innovations have been built in to the Lumia 920. Nokia devices were built to last and this is proven in the camera and side buttons found on the phone. Using a hard substance called Zirconium, they are scratch and dirt resistant which guarantees the phone to look like it just came out of the box.

Shaky video and blurry photos are almost non-existent with the 920’s floating lens technology. This means that sudden movement while using the camera synchronizes perfectly with the lens for clear, crisp photos and steady video recordings. Also, Dual LED flash is a thing of the past for the Nokia Lumia 920. Its use of next generation high-power Dual LEDs produces more light when using the camera for low-light environments.

Although wireless charging is an emerging trend for smartphones, the Lumia 920 adds more innovation to this convenience. Using Near Field Communications technology, you can set the phone to start applications while it recharges the battery.

The Lumia 920 gives you the best audio experience by utilizing a multichannel equalizer which you can customize. The innovative addition of Dolby headphone support one the phone adds more kick to the sound experience.

Custom Facebook personalization works well with the Lumia 920. You can use the phone to pick a random picture to display everyday from the number of albums you have on Facebook. Additionally, the Lumia 920 can create a room for for sharing calendars, photos and notes for selected contacts. On top of this, you can also have a private group chat with your selected contacts.

To complement the large storage capacity of the phone, cloud storage is integrated via SkyDrive. This online service provides ample storage for all your multimedia storage needs. Photos and videos will never be lost with this offsite backup feature.
Using a Bluetooth headset is convenient - especially while on the road. While connected to a car audio system, voice commands can be used via the headset to read or ignore SMS messages.

The Nokia Lumia 920 is available in red, yellow, white, and black. The smartphone is currently exclusive to SMART subscribers who want to get the network’s high-end plans. It is currently tagged with a suggested retail price of P26,990 and will be available in Nokia stores and SMART Business Centers nationwide.

Read More

The Speediest Mobile Internet Operator In the Philippines Is?

Time to unmasked the truth ladies and gentlemen, which among the mobile internet operators in the Philippines reigns supreme in speed by location via JoikuSpeed, the newest member of Joiku family of products that allows users to find the fastest mobile internet operator per area.

JoikuSpeed shows the average actual mobile internet speeds by operators in a chosen location on a map. The speed evidence results originate from actual mobile users in the country from hundreds of thousands of cell sites.

The mobile internet speed tests were concentrated on the locations tainted with blue square boxes in the map below. Clicking each box will shows all the telecom operators and their internet speeds arranged in order from highest to lowest. Other operators not shown means they do not have enough speed evidences or had a very low bandwidth from the said location, a direct approach that I like a lot on the web service.

Here are the results of mobile internet speeds in select Philippine areas:

CALABARZON

Metro Manila

Cavite, Bataan, Pampanga

Batangas, Mindoro, Laguna

Quezon Province, Marinduque, Camarines

Central Vizayas

Davao Provinces, Compostela Valley

Central Mindanao

Northwestern Mindanao

Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi

As seen on the test results, Smart Communications and Globe Telecom dominates proportionately across the country. Globe Telecom reigns in the CALABARZON, Southern Luzon, Cavite-Batangas Areas, Northwestern Mindanao and Zamboanga-Basilan-Sulu territories. Smart Communications on the other hand dominates Metro Manila, Batangas-Mindoro areas, Central Visayas, Central Mindanao and Davao-Compostela boarders. Of the areas, Smart dominates those that covers major cities with huge populations, though Globe Telecom is not far behind. Worth noting as well is Globe's wider coverage location since 3 of the test sites were not covered by Smart as against 1 for Globe. Meanwhile, Sun Cellular is only significant in Metro Manila and nowhere else.

Somehow, I could attest to the authenticity of the result here in Northwestern Mindanao, Globe Telecom was really dominating here in all fronts, from signal strength to mobile internet speeds. By contrast, I could even hardly connect to Smart Telecom here when mobile browsing even in 3G covered areas.

Well, its about time I guess for both networks to work out in there upgrades because its now easy to check and track their mobile internet speeds. They should see this speed test as a challenge to fasten improvements and upgrades. On the other hand, for us consumers to grab this very opportunity to enjoy the best services we deserved. Choose the network that could give you the utmost advantage, we have the upper hand. 

Read More

SmartNet, Extreme Socially

Smartnet is a mobilephone application created by Smart Communications Inc. that combines Facebook, Twitter, Yahoo Mail!, Yahoo Search and Yahoo Messenger into one at the same time offers an unlimited access to these internet sites all day long.

Its more likely similar to the services offered by Blackberry only that it has no Blackberry Messenger and with an added Yahoo services that can be installed to iOS, Android and Java compatible mobilephones, thats about almost every possible mobile browsing phones in the market.

This is the most sensible move that Smart Telecom did lately, for more than a few years, they seemed to lag behind Globe in creating innovative services, now they developed not just any service but a game changer. It cannot be denied that accessing social networks had became routinary and with its trend of access going mobile, consumers would definitely go for practical services that allowed them to save money, the Smartnet hit this demand in one strike.

Developing the application further would be the only reasonable move for Smart Telecom right now, they could either improve its user interface, add more social networks to it like Instragram or a video hosting site like youTube. Do these and they could command the next generation of Filipino consumers and retain their position as the country's largest telecom network.

Read More