Smart airtime load to pay for applications, services

MANILA, Philippines - Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) soon make it possible for subscribers to pay for mobile apps, products, and services with their airtime load in addition to credit cards or online payment accounts.

As demonstrated by the recently launched Chikka TopApp for Android smartphones, Smart is pioneering a new technology which makes it possible for subscribers to use their load credits as payment as it allows software developers to charge Smart mobile users directly through their prepaid or postpaid accounts.

“There are still a lot of mobile phone users in the world who do not own credit cards or online payment accounts, and are thus, not able to purchase apps and other digital products,” said Smart president Napoleon Nazareno.

“By turning our subscribers’ airtime accounts into a means for payment, we have made it possible for developers to reach out to more potential customers,” he said.

A 2008 survey by the Bank for International Settlements states that in the Philippines, only three percent of Filipinos own a credit card.

A world first, Chikka TopApp was developed in conjunction with the Wholesale Applications Community (WAC), a coalition of leading mobile operators from around the world.

Chikka TopApp was made possible by a new Network Application Programming Interface (NAPI) created by the WAC.

The NAPI allows developers to charge users without having to connect separately with each mobile operator’s billing system or also known as “in-app operator billing.”

“The opening up of network APIs is a key focus for WAC,” said WAC CEO Peters Suh. “This demonstrates our commitment to making it easier for developers to innovate and drive revenues and proves that successful collaboration between operators is a reality.” 

Another Filipino-made app, the Pinoy Book Reader by Oks Pinoy, was also released earlier this month. Like Chikka TopApp, the application is able to use the Smart’s in-app operator billing and payment system made possible by WAC’s NAPI.

Smart has been taking the lead in developing applications based on the WAC platform. Last September, it launched the WAC-enabled Netphone which features the groundbreaking SmartNet platform.

SmartNet is a service delivery platform which includes several patented technologies such as Safe Browse and the Global Directory.

Instead of turning off the phone’s data connection altogether to avoid unintended data use, Safe Browse makes available white-listed sites and services. Once users try to visit unauthorized sites, Safe Browse even warns them of potential additional charges.

The Global Directory, meanwhile, is a service which allows Netphone users to search for other users on SmartNet. As soon as they have found the person they wish to connect with, they can send a friend request similar to what is done on popular social networking sites.

“We have the devices — now, it’s as easy as making the applications available to the users ” Nazareno said. “In the near future, we will be introducing more features to WAC applications as we improve on the NAPI.” 

To install Chikka TopApp on the Netphone, download the free app from the Google Android Market. The Netphone701 is now available for P9,900 on prepaid or for free on Data Lite Plan 800 or All-In Plan 1200.

Also available is the Samsung Galaxy Y Netphone Edition for P5,990 on prepaid or for free Data Lite Plan 500 or All-In Plan 800.

For more information, visit www.netphone.ph or drop by the nearest Smart Wireless Center.

Smart is the only Philippine telco that holds a seat in the Wholesale Applications Community’s board of directors.