Fierce rivals Smart Communications and Globe Telecom each captured an award at the prestigious GSMA Global Mobile Awards 2014 being held this week in Barcelona, Spain.
The Lopez-owned carrier, however, snatched an additional award at the inaugural Telecoms.com Awards also held at the ongoing Mobile World Congress (MWC).
SafePH, Smart?s disaster preparedness and emergency response program which was put to the test when Yolanda devastated central Philippines last November, was named ?Best Use of Mobile for Emergency or Humanitarian Efforts? at the GSMA Global Mobile Awards.
Globe, meanwhile, received the ?Best Network-based Solution for Serving Customers Award? for Globe?s Prepaid GoSakto: Create Your Own Promo.
In comments posted at the GSMA Global Mobile Awards website, judges said SafePH was commendable ?on many levels: preparedness, partnerships, and the rolling out of a whole portfolio of services aimed at improving communications access for the affected community in a rapid response fashion.?
Even before Yolanda made landfall, some local government units using Smart?s Infoboard Web-based solution were sending text blasts to prepare residents for the incoming typhoon.
The day after Yolanda hit the country, Smart was first on the ground to set up free call stations using satellite phones, which allowed survivors to communicate their needs to the outside world. In partnership with Telecoms Sans Frontieres, Smart provided emergency satellite communications services in Tacloban City. In partnership with Thuraya Telecoms, Smart was able to offer mobile satellite services on a larger scale.
Satellite communications enabled various agencies to coordinate disaster response efforts and efficiently deploy resources to affected communities.
?We thank the GSMA for recognizing our disaster preparedness and response program, and for training the spotlight on Filipino resilience and the undying bayanihan spirit which came in full display in the aftermath of Yolanda. This award belongs largely to our dedicated network engineers who quickly restored communication links in affected areas. We salute and thank them for their commitment and hard work,? said Smart president and chief executive officer Napoleon L. Nazareno.
At the Telecoms.com Awards ceremony, SmartNet was recognized as an innovative response to the challenges presented by the rise of OTT (over-the-top) services.
SmartNet was developed by Smart subsidiary Voyager Innovations which offers the use of popular mobile applications such as Twitter, Facebook, Facebook Chat, and Yahoo Messenger for free.
The ?Freemium? model gives people a taste of what mobile Internet has to offer ? without fear of unexpected data charges because of SmartNet?s anti-bill shock mechanism ? and promotes the growth of mobile Internet usage among Smart subscribers in a cost-effective manner.
Smart said it was the only Philippine telco to be shortlisted at the Telecoms.com Awards.
On the other hand, Globe?s Prepaid GoSakto, according to the judges, was impressive because ?it delivers the innovative pricing features to the prepaid market that have previously been confined to the postpaid market.?
With the offering, customers can create their own promo bundles by making a series of choices ? which service component/s (voice, SMS, mobile internet) they want in their bundle, how much of voice, SMS and mobile internet they need, and for how long they want it valid.
?Globe Prepaid GoSakto is a groundbreaking service in the Philippines, allowing prepaid promos to become personalized and customizable, and helping us capture our customers? digital lifestyle,? said Globe chief operating advisor Peter Bithos who received the award in Barcelona.
Earlier, Globe basked under the acknowledgment of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg who cited the Ayala-owned carrier for pioneering free Internet in the Philippines with free Facebook access.
