by PLDT Media Services | Sep 26, 2008
MANILA, Philippines, September 26, 2008 – PLDT Global Corporation and its subsidiary PLDT Italy S.r.l, announced today that they have signed agreements with Hutchison Global Communication and H3G S.p.A. for a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) venture in Italy.
The partnership combines the best mobile services in the Philippines and in Italy, and should bring an exceptional mobile experience to the Filipino community in Italy. Anchored on the innovative mobile commerce platform of Smart Communications, Inc., the service offers electronic loading, and sharing of prepaid airtime credits. Coupled with popular services in Italy such as video calling and video streaming, the new mobile phone service will set new standards for relevant quality services that address the needs of Filipinos in Italy.
Branded “SMART Pinoy”, the new MVNO service will offer affordable rates for international calls and SMS from Italy to the Philippines. In the future, Smart Pinoy will also provide the most efficient remittance service via use of the mobile phone. The service also aims to help bridge the distance between the Filipinos in Italy and their families and friends in the Philippines by providing a reliable and cost-effective means of keeping in touch.
PLDT Global is the international sales and marketing arm of PLDT, the Philippines’ leading telecommunications group. Its Hong Kong MVNO called 1528 Smart, was launched in 2004. 1528 Smart is now the leading service provider among the Filipinos in Hong Kong, amid a field of seven operators in the Special Administrative Region. Its Singapore MVNO, also branded “Smart Pinoy”, is a strong second in a field of three mobile operators and two MVNO players in the city-state.
Hutchison Global Communications owns and operates an extensive fibre-to-the-building telecommunications network in Hong Kong. On the other hand, H3G S.p.A operates as a mobile media company that offers media services, information, and telephony services enabling live video calls, multimedia content, and entertainment in Italy. Both companies are members of the Hutchison Whampoa, Ltd. (HWL) group, a Fortune 500 company and one of the largest companies listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. HWL is an international corporation with a diverse array of holdings which includes telecommunications, property development and infrastructure, among others.
