by PLDT Media Services | May 20, 2011
HONG KONG, 20th May 2011 -- Like their families back home, more and more Filipinos in Hong Kong have become savvy users of the Internet. To address that growing need, PLDT Global through 1528, its mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) in Hong Kong, has launched a mobile internet service that enables subscribers to go online anytime, anywhere to check emails from home, “IM” their friends, update their social networking accounts, and even watch videos.
“The Web has become much more accessible via smartphones, tablets and other mobile internet devices that are widely available at affordable prices in Hong Kong,” said PLDT Global Business Head Enrique Yu.
“By offering an affordable mobile internet service, we are providing Filipinos another convenient means of keeping in touch with their loved ones at home,” he added.
Running on 7.2mbps, the new mobile internet service enables OFWs to instantly communicate and know the status of their family and friends in the Philippines via Twitter, Facebook, Friendster, Multiply, My Space, and other social networking sites.
To avail of PLDT Global’s mobile internet service, Hongkong subscribers can choose from two packages: the monthly plan at HK$78 with 30mb per day; and the pay-per-use plan at HK$0.06/kb which allows subscribers to use the internet anytime without having to pay monthly.
Hongkong OFWs may subscribe to this service by simply typing GPRS<space>78 and sending to 152800.
Around 169,000 Filipinos reside in Hongkong, the 10th region with the largest number of global Filipinos, and the 4th largest outbound IDD destination after China, Indonesia, and the United States.
In order to serve the telecommunications requirements of Hongkong-based Filipinos, PLDT (HK) Limited was launched in 2004, operating in Hongkong under the brand name 1528 Smart Pinoy, the first mobile operator in the region that offers Electronic Load, Pasaload, and mobile remittance services to the Filipino market. 1528 Smart Pinoy now serves almost 75,000 customers.
PLDT also launched an MVNO in Singapore in 2006 in partnership with Mobile One to address the telecommunications needs of over 163,000 Filipinos residing in Singapore.
PLDT Global Corporation (PGC) is a 100% wholly-owned subsidiary of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT). As the international marketing, sales, and operating arm of the PLDT Group of Companies, it offers a wide range of products and services even beyond telecommunications.
PGC provides innovative telecommunications solutions and other relevant consumer services to Filipinos overseas and other ethnic markets. It was established in 2000 as a unit of the International Carrier Business Group of PLDT, handling wholesale business. In 2004, it spun off from PLDT to serve some 8.6 million global Filipinos.
