Globe strengthens mobile data services, expands device line up

Globe, Industry | Techie Kid | February 13, 2011 9:35 pm

Globe Telecom has started expanding its line-up of internet capable smartphones and tablets to meet the increasing demand for an affordable yet reliable on-the-go internet connectivity. This move taken by Globe is part of the company’s plan in strengthening its leadership in mobile data services in the country. The aggressive push for new devices and mobile data plans addresses the demands for a more accessible and more affordable internet access to mobile phone subscribers.

Among the latest addition to Globe’s line-up of affordable mobile phones are the following: Huawei Ideos U8150, Samsung Galaxy Europa, Samsung Galaxy

Mini s5570 and the Samsung Galaxy Ace s5830. These mobile phones are powered by the Android 2.1~2.2, a mobile operating system specifically designed for mobile functions such as internet browsing, gaming, sending of tweets, viewing and updating of Facebook statuses, communication and other mobile internet functions available in most Android-powered devices today.

The Huawei Ideos u8150 and Samsung Galaxy 5 i5503 Europa both come free with Globe MySuperPlan 499 and 30 days of Super Surf.

The Samsung Galaxy Mini s5570 comes free at Globe MySuperPlan 999, while the Samsung Galaxy Ace s5830 is free at Plan 1799. Both are bundled with 30 days of Super Surf for free so users can experience and enjoy mobile internet their way.

For a more detailed information on Globe’s announcement regarding these mobile phones, please see Press Release below:

[Press Release]

Globe leads mobile data business with aggressive device and plan offers

With technology moving at an almost-supersonic speed, new gadgets and services crop-up almost every week. But for many mobile phone users, the need for gadgets and offers that actually work for them and suit their lifestyles reigns supreme over those that may be loaded with all sorts of hi-tech features but irrelevant and unusable. With the mobile telephony market reaching its mature stage, mobile data business offers new opportunities among Filipino mobile phone users in terms of usage and patronage.

Globe Telecom takes the lead in mobile data business in the Philippines as demand for reliable, on-the-go internet connectivity increases. The company announced it would expand its device line-up to include more smartphones and tablets at various price ranges,, as well as more flexible and affordable data plans for its subscribers.

Up-to-date handsets and devices
Globe offers an array of the world’s most hardworking smartphones with a free 30-day trial of Globe Super Surf so users get to enjoy the full experience of their gadgets while to surf the net their way. The Huawei Ideos u8150, rated as one of the best-valued handsets by global tech experts, is one of the world’s cheapest Android smartphone. Powered by an Android 2.2 Operating System (Froyo), the Ideos u8150 can be customized with communication, entertainment, productivity and gaming applications. The Ideos u8150 also doubles as a wifi router for up to 8 devices at a time. It comes in black, yellow, blue and purple, perfect for those who want to match their phones with their personalities.

The world’s largest multi-technology company, Samsung, partners with Globe for a mobile internet bundle for its best-valued Android mobile phone, the Samsung Galaxy 5 i5503 Europa. The Europa is powered by a 600 Mhz processor that’s fast enough for gaming, sending Tweets, viewing Facebook photos and even reading eBooks. You can also use this phone to stream your music to other DLNA-compliant TV or audio system at home.

The Huawei Ideos u8150 and Samsung Galaxy 5 i5503 Europa both come free with Globe MySuperPlan 499 and 30 days of Super Surf.

Globe is also introducing two of Samsung’s latest devices—the Samsung Galaxy Mini s5570 and the Samsung Galaxy Ace s5830.

The Samsung Galaxy Mini s5570 is small in size, but big on fun and function. Running on an Android 2.2 (Froyo), the Galaxy Mini features a microUSB port and microSD card slot and supports Wifi 802.11b/g/n and Bluetooth 2.1. It’s perfect for stylish and trendy teens or the young-at-heart who want multimedia functions like a radio and a photo gallery yet simple enough to use. The perfect gadget for smartphone neophytes, it also offers Google™ voice actions and Quick Office document viewer, all powered by a 600MHz processor.

For those who want an android that works as hard as they do, the Samsung Galaxy Ace s5830 is the way to go. It runs on Google Android 2.2.1 Froyo version with Samsung’s proprietary TouchWiz 3.0 UI layered on top of it. The galaxy ace packs with a 2GB microSD card and one can add up to 32GB microSD card for additional storage. For good quality imaging, the Galaxy Ace has a 5 megapixel camera with autofocus and an LED Flash. It supports quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE networks, which offers up to 7.2Mbps speed for HSDPA data connections. Apart from that, the galaxy ace has Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n) and Bluetooth 2.1 support and integrates Gmail, Social Hub, Google Maps (Latitude, Places and Navigation in Beta) and Android market.

The Samsung Galaxy Mini s5570 comes free at Globe MySuperPlan 999, while the Samsung Galaxy Ace s5830 is free at Plan 1799. Both are bundled with 30 days of Super Surf for free so users can experience and enjoy mobile internet their way.

Apart from handsets, Globe is also carrying the Huawei Ideos S7 tablet. Powered by Android 2.1, Éclair, the S7 tablet is a no-frills gadget that boasts of a 7-inch TFT capacitive touchscreen, 800×480 pixel resolution and 720p high definition video playback. Running on a 768MHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, the S7 provides users quick and easy access to information through its 3G function. It’s one of the most affordable tablets in the market, and comes free at Plan 999 with free 30-day trial of Super Surf.

Exciting mobile phone applications
Fully-loaded gadgets and a data plan isn’t enough for users to enjoy all that techie power in their hands. Mobile applications, simply known as apps, are just the thing to customize each smartphone. For a complete mobile data experience, Globe has partnered with GetJar, the world’s second largest independent app store, for an array of free apps available on the Globe WAP site (http://m.globe.com.ph). Popular apps on the Globe WAP site include Snaptu, an all-in-one app that allows the user to access popular services, varying from social networks like Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and Picasa to entertainment news, blogs, sports and local guides; Nimbuzz, an ultimate all can messaging app; and the addicting physics-based game Angry Birds.

Affordable data plans
The mobile browsing bliss on Globe can last longer, thanks to Globe’s more affordable mobile data plans. Super Surf is now at P999 for 30 days, equivalent to just P33.33 per day; while Power Surf, a consumable mobile internet offer, now comes in a daily P15 variant for 60 minutes. It’s the most affordable prepaid data plan in the market at the equivalent of just P0.25 per minute.

“Globe is proud to offer the best-valued and best-performing smartphones in the market, the most affordable data plans and the widest array of mobile applications that allows our subscribers to fully enjoy mobile internet,” said Joanna Africa, Head for Portfolio Management of Globe. “Mobile internet is taking off in the country and our goal is to make the service more accessible, affordable and widely available to Filipinos from all walks of life.”

Business research and consulting firm Frost & Sullivan expects mobile data in the Philippines to grow dramatically over the next five years. The country also has the highest data usage figures in the region with 54% of the total data usage compared to its Asian neighbors.