PLDT upgrades Free Bee, connecting more Filipino families globally

Overseas Filipinos can now enjoy more services on Free Bee, an award-winning homegrown app powered by PLDT Global Corporation (PGC) – the international arm of the country’s largest fully integrated telco PLDT.

As an app that truly understands the lives of overseas Filipinos, Free Bee goes above and beyond by providing the most convenient digital services and affordable international call plans to help them build stronger connections and care for their loved ones back home -- especially amid the pandemic.

Affordable premium calls, virtual PH number

Filipinos abroad can still enjoy high quality free two-minute calls to their loved ones who are customers of PLDT, Smart, and TNT in the Philippines. This is ideal for families who live in far-flung provinces or those who have little or no access to the internet. Or they can also subscribe to premium calls which would allow them to make affordable calls to the Philippines even if their family members are offline or do not use a smartphone.

Free Bee user Evangeline, who is currently based in Qatar, shared that she is able to stay in touch with her children in the Philippines via the Free Bee mobile app. “Nagiging madali ang mahihirap na mga araw dahil mas madaling makipagusap, makita, o mag-message sa mga mahal sa buhay na malayo sa akin. Napakaimportante ng technology at social media applications sa mga OFW na gaya ko.” [The hard days become better because it’s easier to talk to or send a message to loved ones who are far from me. Technology and social media applications are very important to OFWs like me.]

With the new and improved services, families in the Philippines can now call their loved ones in Canada, South Korea, the United States, India, Singapore, Australia, and Japan via Free Bee, without breaking the bank. Overseas Filipinos can also use a Virtual Philippine Number -- a local Smart number that is assigned or paired to their Free Bee account-- so that their families in the Philippines can freely call or text them and be charged only with local rates. Free Bee users can also enjoy unlimited app-to-app calls and messages with their friends when they are online, wherever they are in the world.

One-stop shop for overseas Filipinos

The upgraded digital lifestyle app also comes with Bee Coins – an in-app digital currency or credit that allows the user to purchase any call or text plans within the Free Bee app.

Free Bee users can easily purchase prepaid load on The Bee Shop and send it to their families back home or pay for Philippine bills even if they are abroad.

Available in 200 countries, Free Bee also continues to expand its list of partners on What’s The Buzz – the one-stop shop within the app that enables users to look for news and information, entertainment, job listings, important hotlines, reminders, and other services that can help the madiskarteng Pinoy.

“PLDT Global is a company that knows the Filipino. We are in the best position to bring the services of our partners closer to the overseas Filipino market through our homegrown app, Free Bee,” said Albert V. Villa-Real, SVP and Chief Commercial Officer at PGC. “These new and improved services are catered to help our modern heroes maintain their strong connections with loved ones and support their families back home.”

To enjoy these new features, customers can download or update their Free Bee app via Google Play or App Store. For more information, visit www.freebeecalls.com.