Globe Telecom is tapping its mobile browsing segment to bolster its growth and reinforce its position as a formidable challenger in the telecommunications industry. In 2012, Globe’s mobile browsing revenues totaled PHP 3.1 billion, growing 55 percent from 2011’s PHP 2 billion. The growth comes from increased smartphone penetration and more subscribers accessing the Internet from their mobile phones. Other mobile data revenues grew 67 percent from PHP 4.3 billion in 2011 to PHP 7.2 billion in 2012.
“We are happy to see how our mobile browsing segment has grown in 2012 driven by the strong take-up of our offers that allow subscribers to maximize use of their smartphones beyond call and text,” said Jenny Granada-Echevarria, Head of Mobile Data Services in Globe.
Globe also unveiled several new mobile internet bundles that provide Globe Prepaid and TM subscribers a day of unlimited access to social networking sites such for only P20. SOCIAL20 gives users access to Facebook, Multiply, and Twitter; FUN20 gives users access to Facebook and YouTube; and MAIL20 gives users access to Facebook, Yahoo! Mail and Gmail.
Another feature that helped Globe boost its mobile browsing is their partnership with Google, which made Globe the world’s first telecom operator to offer free data access to the Internet and select Google services via Free Zone powered by Google. Free Zone allows Globe Prepaid and TM subscribers to get easy and instant access to Google Search, Gmail and Google+ on their feature phones and smartphones without any cost. You can access these features by going to http://libre.ph.
Globe’s roster of mobile apps also helped increase its revenues. GMESSAGE, GMOVIES, GSERVICES and GCASH all help enhance subscribers’ mobile experiences and are designed to suit the interests and lifestyles of today’s smartphone users.
Globe also launched its PowerSurf plans, mobile browsing plans that use megabytes (MB) to measure the size of Internet-related transactions. Globe PowerSurf gave subscribers bulk MB of mobile data which is consumable by kilobyte (KB). This differs from the default charging, where subscribers are charged P5 for 15 minutes of online time. By using an MB plan in mobile surfing that does not look at the time spent online, but rather by activity or site visited, mobile browsing was made more affordable. Prepaid subscribers can choose from the following PowerSurf plans: 20 MB for P15 for one day, 50MB for P30 for one day, and 100 MB for P50 for three days. Subscribers who browse the web more frequently can also avail of 30-day plans: 50MB for P99, 300 MB for P299, and 1 GB for P499.
For more information about Globe’s mobile Internet, you can visit http://surf.globe.com.ph, text SURF to 8888 or dial *143# for free on your mobile phone.