MANILA, July 8 (PNA) — Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) value brand Talk ‘N Text (TNT) has recorded over 4.5 million Filipinos using the app, Internet.org since its launch last March, the telco said on Wednesday.
Internet.org is an initiative by Facebook that aims to make mobile Internet services available to two-thirds of the world who are not yet connected. It was developed in close collaboration with top tech firms, mobile networks and content providers.
Last May, the Internet.org official website noted that it “has brought more than nine million people online and introduced them to the incredible value of the Internet.”
Smart, through TNT is the first telco in Southeast Asia to roll out the Internet.org app, which now provides Filipinos with free access to 30 websites offering informative and practical content, including Facebook and Messenger.
Smart and Sun subscribers are also able to enjoy the free sites on the Internet.org app and mobile site.
TNT marketing head Cherish Canizares-Tupaz in a statement welcomed the telco’s latest development noting that Smart’s value brand has been the most suitable launch pad for the Internet.org advocacy.
“The overwhelming response to Internet.org reflects the mounting appreciation for the real life benefits of mobile Internet among Filipinos,” Canizares-Tupaz said.
“Indeed, TNT is bent on reaching out especially the masses, who shall benefit the most from this service,” the TNT official added.
TNT, Smart and Sun subscribers all over the country may enjoy the free sites on the Internet.org Android app or by visiting www.internet.org on their mobile browser.
Subscribers may download the Internet.org app on Google Play Store. Subscribers may also text INTERNET to 9999 for detailed information on using the app and site.
Since 2014, Internet.org has rolled out in 14 countries, including Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya, Colombia, Ghana, India, Guatemala, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Malawi, Pakistan, Senegal, and most recently in Bolivia, making the app available to over 1 billion people so far.
Smart supports the Internet.org app on the back of Philippines’ largest and most advanced mobile network, with over 90,000 kilometers of fiber-optic cables around the archipelago.