Telco launches low-priced phone for D and E market

CEBU, Philippines - Seeing a big prospect in the untapped lower D and E market, Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) launched a phone kit targeted mainly for this segment.

Dubbed as Talk ‘N Text Panalo Phone, the telco’s new product is touted as the lowest priced prepaid handset package in the market now. The bundle which sells for only P499 already comes with a brand new handset with built-in Talk ‘ N Text SIM, and preloaded with free SMS.

"This innovative product allows us to offer real value to this fresh market of unserved, potential mobile subscribers," said Danilo Mojica, head of Smart’s Wireless Consumer Division.

"With the affordable Panalo Phone we hope to put a cellphone in the hands of millions of Filipinos who still don’t have a phone due to price issue," says Jane J. Basas, Senior Marketing Manager Prepaid Marketing of Talk ‘N Text.

As per their study, Basas said that there are about 12 million who don’t have a phone yet belonging to the D and E market.

The Panalo Phone come in two models manufactured by Cherry Mobile and ZTE. The Talk ‘ N Text SIM in the Panalo Phone kit comes preloaded with "Araw-Araw Text 10’, that will allow users to send 40 text messages to other Talk ‘ N Text subscribers and another 25 messages to users of other networks.

The Panalo Phones allow 2G connectivity, have an FM radio receiver, a flashlight and basic monochrome screen. Upcoming phone models will feature solar panel which will surely be doubly helpful for subscribers in areas that do not have access to electricity.

To make mobile services more affordable to subscribers with very limited spending money, micro-priced bucket packages --- some as low as P5 --- will also be made available to users of the Talk ‘N Text Panalo Phone kit.

"Araw-araw Text 20" provides 100 SMS valid for five days for only P20, while "Araw-araw Text 40" provides 300 SMS valid for 15 days for only P40. – THE FREEMAN