A focus on Internet connectivity is the primary driver of Smart Communication Inc.?s latest project, the Smart Wi-Fi broadband Internet. With around a thousand Wi-Fi base stations around the Philippines, 500 of which are located in the Greater Manila Area (GMA), Smart is aiming to bring Internet access even to the remotest locations in the Philippines -- from Basco, Batanes to Tawi-Tawi.
The broadband Internet service of Smart, Smart Wi-Fi is designed to bring broadband Internet to remote locations in the country by using the nationwide cellular network of Smart to wirelessly connect a computer to the Internet. Subscribers can surf the Internet at broadband speed even if there are no available phone lines.
The service is made possible by installing a Smart Wi-Fi antenna at a subscriber?s house with a direct ?line-of-sight? to the nearest Smart cellular site offering the strongest possible radio frequency transmission. As the service is now available from Smart cellular sites nationwide, more households can have an Internet broadband connection without the need for a physical cable or a phone line.
The rollout started last June 15, and by September, the company was already garnering positive figures. Assistant brand manager for Smart Wi-Fi, Ava Española said there are approximately 8,000 to 8,500 subscribers to date, with 31 percent of sales coming from the South Luzon Area. ?We are doing very well with this project. In fact, we are expecting a lot of growth in GMA. By the end of the year, we?re hoping that we could reach 32,000 subscribers,? added Española.
Head of public affairs at Smart, Ramon ?Mon? Isberto said that with nationwide Wi-Fi coverage, the country can push the business process outsourcing potential to its fullest. ?BPO is one of the country?s growth areas but it?s not fully exploited. Wireless broadband can make it easier because operations can be more efficient. People can work from home and be more productive with their time. Companies don?t have to pay huge electricity bills.?
Smart?s Wi-Fi broadband is designed to complement the DSL set-up, instead of compete with it. Española said that Wi-Fi broadband is available where there are no DSL capabilities. ?Smart?s Wi-Fi deployment is to complement DSL. Since there are base stations nationwide, you can connect to the Internet even without a phone line.?
The Smart Wi-Fi has two Internet connection plans: 128 kbps at P788 for provincial connections, and 256 kbps at P998 for GMA connections.