SMART COMMUNICATIONS WANTS the next wave of smartphone users to come from people who never thought they could afford one.

That was the message at a dinner event at Shangri-La at the Fort in Taguig on Wednesday, July 13, where the mobile network unboxed a string of new products and services a month after its rebrand. The headline item: a bigger and better Smartphone Prepaid Kit at only P1,288, designed to make it “easier for Filipinos to connect to mobile Internet and get accustomed to using online apps and services.” The kit comes with SIM cards and prepaid load.

Smart framed the whole rollout as a digital-inclusion play. The new offerings aim to “change the way Filipinos connect, enrich their passions, and ultimately optimize their digital life,” the company said in a press statement sent to ElysPlanet.

Cheaper Access, Bigger Data

The smartphone kit wasn’t the only budget play. Smart Bro Pocket WiFi is now P888, a good fit for people juggling multiple gadgets or sharing a connection with friends.

Arguing that “speed and size matter in the online world,” Smart also announced Super Speed LTE SIMs (LTE being the faster 4G mobile standard) and Giga Surf 50, its biggest data offer yet: 1GB for surfing and apps, plus a free 300MB for streaming on YouTube and iflix, valid for three days, for only P50. That 1GB can also be shared with other prepaid subscribers through Smart’s Pasadata service.

“Our multi-pronged efforts range from bringing the smartphone to the hands of more digital newbies, to providing the most awesome content for young digital natives, to making sure that everyone will enjoy the best data experience. Our goal is to make sure no one gets left behind by this digital shift,” said Katrina Luna-Abelarde, head of Smart Wireless Consumer Operations.

PLDT and Smart chairman and CEO Manny V. Pangilinan put it in legacy terms: “Smart has built a legacy of bringing mobile innovations into the life of all Filipinos, and with the digital wave upon us, we have come up with innovative products and services to bring the real-life benefits of connectivity to as many Filipinos as possible.” Pangilinan also claimed Smart now has better coverage than its rival network, Globe. Watch his full speech below.

Customer Service Moves to Twitter

Smart has teamed up with Twitter to run customer care through @SMARTCares, with live feedback and faster responses. It’s the first brand in the Philippines to make Twitter its main customer-service touchpoint for real-time care and account inquiries.

For data questions, there’s Marty the Smarty, Smart’s go-to guide for anything about mobile data and the internet, available at www.martythesmarty.com and @martysmarty on Twitter. Prepaid and postpaid subscribers can also manage their accounts 24/7 through the enhanced My Smart app on the Google Play Store and iTunes.

Own It, and Smart Launchpad

Smart also unveiled its “Own It” campaign, which encourages everyone, and young people especially, to share their passions with the world.

“Under this campaign, Smart has teamed up with YouTube for Smart Launchpad, a program to help budding content creators upload their own work and broadcast it to the world via Upload Stations all over the country.” Industry experts will run workshops, and the most deserving creators will be flown to LA to collaborate with some of the biggest YouTube stars.

Smart Music Live

Smart kicked off its Smart Music Live campaign with MCA Music, starting with a free concert for subscribers featuring Ely Buendia, Up Dharma Down, and Nathan Sykes at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on July 14.

Here’s Up Dharma Down performing ‘Tadhana’ at Thursday’s show, which this writer attended. More on that in our next post.

Smart Music Live will also offer perks and meet-and-greets for upcoming concerts: Selena Gomez on July 31; In the Mix, featuring Third Eye Blind, Panic! At the Disco, James Bay, Elle King, and Twin Pines, on August 18; and Shawn Mendes in October.

The Smart Life App

Rounding out the launches is the Smart Life app, which offers daily exclusive digital perks, videos, music, and games. We downloaded it on the spot and immediately got a pile of perks and free content.

The app is still in its initial phase. Smart says it will roll out new features and host top-rated content from D5 Studio, sports coverage including FIBA and the upcoming Olympics, and digital content made for and by users.

All photos and videos used in this post are owned by ElysPlanet.