Smart eyes growth of Facebook mobile access in the Philippines

A recent report from technology site TechCrunch.com has caught the interest of Philippine wireless leader Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) as it discloses that there are currently around 470 million Facebook (FB) users who access the service via phone or tablet. According to Smart Broadband Internet and Data Services Head Lloyd Manaloto, although it the figure may seem daunting mobile FB access is still dwarfed by the total number of users which is pegged at around 1 billion as of September last year.

“The numbers show that less than half of all Facebook users worldwide are accessing the service via their mobile devices,” said Manaloto. “In a developing country such as the Philippines, that percentage may even be lower,” he added.

The report’s source, analyst Benedict Evans, further says that of the total number, 192 million FB users use Android while 147 million use the iPhone.

In its continuing effort to make the same ease of access to Facebook’s services to Filipinos as those in more developed countries, Smart has long pioneered introducing new and innovative Facebook packages.

Chief on the list is the Smart Unli Social Plan 349.  Bundled with a free Samsung Galaxy Pocket or Lenovo A60+ Android phone, Unli Social 349 offers unlimited access to Facebook and Twitter via the pre-installed SmartNet app and unlimited texting to 70 million other mobile users on Smart, Sun, and Talk ‘N Text as well.

“With a Smart Unli Social Plan 349, you’re always connected,” said Smart Postpaid Business Head Kathy Carag.

For prepaid users, Smart has an array of affordable Always On packages which offers Internet access at bite-sized chunks. Subscribers, for example, can avail of a 45MB Always On package for as low as P20/day.

“That’s good enough for updating your status and for sharing a few photos—plus, you can surf some of your favorite sites on the side,” Manaloto said.

Meanwhile, feature phone users can also avail of the special Unli FB10 package which comes with unlimited access to “Facebook for Every Phone”, Facebook’s official Java App for 24 hours.

To download Facebook for Every Phone or to avail of Unli FB 10, simply text “FB” or “FB10” to 211 on any Java-enabled Smart phone.

For more information on Smart’s other data offers, visit www.smart.com.ph or go to the Smart Store nearest you.

Back to top