One with the legions of Filipinos excited for the arrival of Pokemon GO in the country, leading mobile services provider Smart Communications has announced that it will give subscribers 7 days of free data access to Pokemon GO upon the launch of the hit game in the Philippines. This offer is available for both Android and iOS users.

Smart and TNT subscribers who are using iPhones or Android smartphones can enjoy 7 days free data access to Pokemon GO upon accessing the game and start playing without data charges for 7 days upon the launch of the game in the country.

A worldwide phenomenon

A location-based augmented reality mobile game, Pokemon GO lets players assume the role of a trainer who discovers and catches Pokemon or “pocket monsters” as if in real life using the GPS and camera of their smartphones.

Players level up their Pokemon and battle other trainers to gain Pokécoins that can be spent on in-game items. Developed by Niantic Labs in partnership with Nintendo affiliate The Pokemon Company, Pokemon GO has swept gamers since it was first launched in the USA, Australia, and New Zealand on July 6. The game is now available in over 30 countries, including Japan, where the original Pokemon game and anime series originated.

#PHforPokemonGO campaign 

“Smart is one with the whole nation in waiting for Pokemon GO to finally go live in the Philippines, and we are very excited to welcome the game in our own big way,” said Kathy C. Carag, Smart Mobile Business Head.

“Smart subscribers nationwide can look forward to more special treats and promos that will allow them to make the most of their Pokemon GO experience.”

Drumming up the excitement among millions of Filipino fans, Smart joined the rally for #PHForPokemonGO on social media since the game was released in select markets last July 6.  On Twitter alone, the anticipation and clamor for the game reached more than 14 million impressions on over the last couple of weeks for Smart and Pokemon Go.

Leveled-up Pokemon GO experience

Smart and TNT subscribers can easily level up their gameplay via convenient and secure Pokemon Go in-app purchases even without a credit card.

With Smart’s Google Direct Carrier Billing for Android users, subscribers can easily purchase Pokecoins, Pokemon Go’s currency mainly used for buying items that will help gamers catch Pokemons – directly charged to their prepaid load or postpaid account.

Smart Postpaid subscribers who are iPhone users can also conveniently buy Pokecoins, charged to their monthly billing, through Smart’s Pay-With- Mobile service.

Catch the latest updates on Pokemon GO by following Smart’s official accounts on Facebook (www.facebook.com/SmartCommunications), Snapchat (LiveSmartPH), Twitter and Instagram (@LiveSmart).




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PR from SMART Communications

Basketball fans all over the country can throw their support behind Gilas Pilipinas wherever they are by tuning into the mobile live stream of the Philippine team games at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament via the freenet app (formerly SafeZone), available for FREE download and FREE from data charges for all Smart, TNT and Sun subscribers nationwide.

All they have to do is download the freenet app from the Google Play Store or the SafeZone app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store and register to the service to catch the FIBA qualifiers on their phones wherever they are. This is made possible by PLDT and Smart’s digital innovations arm Voyager Innovations in cooperation with Sports5 and TV5, the official broadcaster of the qualifying games.

“Just last week, Pinoys witnessed history unfold as they watched the inauguration of President Rodrigo Duterte through freenet on their mobile devices. Today we’re once again letting all Filipinos from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao express their support to the Philippine team for the historic Gilas bid for the 2016 Rio Olympics through their phones–all for FREE for Smart, TNT and Sun users nationwide,” said Manuel V. Pangilinan, Chairman at PLDT, Smart, and Voyager Innovations.


Watch Gilas from anywhere

Through freenet, basketball fans can watch the Philippines vs. France game at 9PM on July 5 (Tuesday) and the Philippines vs. New Zealand match at 9PM on July 6 (Wednesday) even if they are still in the office or braving the heavy traffic going home.

Led by former NBA player Andray Blatche, the 2016 Gilas Pilipinas pool is composed of Terrence Romeo, Jeff Chan, Jayson Castro, Gabe Norwood, Ranidel De Ocampo, June Mar Fajardo, Marc Pingris, Japeth Aguilar, Ray Parks, Ryan Reyes and Troy Rosario.

Should Gilas make it to the semifinals and finals of the tournament, fans may still tune into the games through freenet on July 9 and 10.

And if the Philippines emerges on top of the Manila FIBA qualifiers, they will earn the solitary spot for entry into the 2016 Olympic Games to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in August.

Digital Sixth Man

Dubbed the “free and fun way to connect,” freenet likewise offers fans an avenue to support the Philippine team by providing free basic social media access to Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram through the app, so they can be the so-called “digital sixth man” of the team during the games.

They can do this by sharing words of encouragement and support on their accounts along with the hashtags #LabanPilipinas, #SmartGilas, #GilasTime and the fan-favorite #PUSO or “heart,” which has captured the spirit of the team in tournaments.

“We’re a basketball-crazy nation, and we’re also known as the social media capital of the world. So it’s only natural for Pinoys to show their support to the Gilas Pilipinas team through digital means, and we’re more than happy to give them that avenue through freenet. Let’s once again unite and rally behind our national team–by watching the games live, on TV, or through mobile!” said Benjie Fernandez, chief operating officer at Voyager.

During the free mobile live streaming of the Duterte inauguration, the SafeZone app became one of the top trending app searches in the Apple App Store–signifying a sea change in the way Filipinos participate in national events, which is increasingly going mobile.

Aside from free mobile live streaming and social media access, users may also use the freenet app to access a select number of apps and mobile sites. To date, about 70 brands and enterprises are already using the freenet platform to allow their users to access their sites and apps for free.

So make sure to be part of Philippine sports history and download the freenet app for your Android (http://szn.ph/downloadandroid) or the SafeZone app for iOS (http://szn.ph/downloadios) devices today.


For more information, visit http://www.freenet.ph/labanpilipinas or like the freenet page on Facebook.


Thanks for dropping by and have a great day! - Jexx



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From the PR of SMART / Voyager Innovation - Mr. Arwin Abe

"This app was created to make your taxi ride more secure and convenient", as per Southern Maligaya Taxi Inc. and R.A. Hao Group CEO Mr. Martin Angelo Hao. "Maligaya Taxi is one of the first and leading taxi operators in Davao and we're still committed to being the pioneers. Taxilink is just another example of how we are constantly evolving."