To spur mobile data usage among Filipinos, Smart Communications, Inc. has announced new video data plans that deliver YouTube, Vimeo and other online video services for as low as Php5.
“Every purchase of a Smart video bundle gives subscribers access to YouTube, Vimeo, Viewstream, Skype Qik, DailyMotion and Dubsmash,” said Michele Curran, First Vice President and Head for Data Services at Smart. “We’ve created video sachets so subscribers can access popular videos for as low as Php5.”
The packages start with YouTube5, which offers 65MB of data for 15 minutes of standard definition video streaming on mobile phones, valid for one day, for only Php5.
Smart will also offer YouTube25, which offers 160MB of data for 35 minutes of standard definition video streaming on mobile phones, valid for one day, for only Php25.
Heavy viewers can enjoy YouTube50, which offers 400MB of data for 90 minutes of standard definition video streaming, valid over three days, for only Php50.
Smart also offers YouTube199, which provides 270 minutes of standard definition video streaming, valid over 30 days, for only Php199.
Aside from YouTube, subscribers can use these bundles to view their favorite videos on Vimeo, Dailymotion, and Viewstream, exchange quick video messages to friends via Skype Qik, and even create funny lip-synched videos through one of the year’s breakout viral apps, Dubsmash.
To avail of the offer, subscribers can simply text YOUTUBE5; YOUTUBE25; YOUTUBE50; or YOUTUBE199 to 9999. They can also dial *121# – Smart’s easy access number for all promos. Upon successful registration, subscribers will get an instant notification of their subscription, which shall be charged against their prepaid load or billed on top of their monthly service fee.
Google Philippines Country Head Ken Lingan, Dailymotion Partnerships Director Clement Gosse, and Smart FVP and Head of Data Services Michele Curran discuss interesting trends for video consumption among Filipinos, especially on mobile phones.
Once their video data bundle subscription is fully consumed, Smart Prepaid subscribers will be directed to a paywall or receive a notification in order to allow customers to easily manage their budget and service usage.
“By working with Smart to create a more affordable way for people to watch videos on mobile we hope Filipinos will be able to enjoy a better YouTube experience across devices, either at home or on the go,” said Rajan Anandan, Vice President and Managing Director, Google Southeast Asia and India. “Filipinos can also enjoy a smooth, buffer-free version of YouTube by using the new offline feature we introduced in the Philippines last December.”
Google Philippines Country Head Ken Lingan says the average Filipino user spends 30% more time on YouTube compared to the average Asia Pacific user.
