Smart unveils SMART Satellite Services for the maritime industry

As a way to honor Filipino seafarers who toil across the world’s oceans and seas, wireless services leader Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) embarks on another first by unveiling a set of mobile services designed to address their communication needs. More details after the jump.

“Smart is very proud of Filipino seafarers because they are the true ‘faces of the sea’ as they comprise one-third of the global maritime workforce,” said Charles Lim, EVP and Head, Wireless Consumer Business for Smart and Sun Cellular.

“As a testament of our support in promoting their well-being, we are happy to launch SMART Satellite Services, by which a complete array of mobile services like voice calls, text, and online applications for smartphones and personal computers will be made available for Filipino workers on deck,” said Lim.

SMART Satellite Services offers the newest maritime communication technology to Filipino seafarers and is expected to bring better ways for them to keep in touch with their families and loved ones. Under this, three services will soon be made available: Marino Phonepal, Marino Textmate, and Link Plus.

With Marino Phonepal, Filipino seafarers sailing in Australia, Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Asia-Pacific will soon be able to call their families in the Philippines at an affordable rate and enjoy reliable connection and superior call quality. With Marino Textmate, they will be able to send text messages for only P2 per text. Link Plus, an online application which will have both mobile and desktop versions, will enable users to make calls, send text messages, and access the Internet through the app.

With the newest and pioneering portfolio of services, Smart offers delivery of wider coverage, outstanding quality, and reliable signal, all within the reach of Filipino seafarers.

“An affordable and reliable communication service that cuts across the seas is very important to our seafarers because it means more people can connect to their loved ones, therefore boosting their morale,” said Marlon Roño, president of Magsaysay Maritime Corp.

“Most of our Filipino seafarers spend around 20 to 30 percent of their earnings in communication. Calling their loved ones using a satellite phone, for example, is still expensive,” said Capt. Ronald Enrile, vice president for Operations at Philippine Transmarine Carriers.  “With the new service of Smart, not only does it offer wider coverage but it is tailor-fit to Filipino seafarers’ budget as well. I believe our seafarers would love it.”

Smart is the only wireless communications service provider in the country that offers the capability and experience to fully serve the needs of the maritime industry. With SMART Satellite Services, the telco expects to connect more seafaring Filipinos to the rest of the world.

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