Smart launches new Giga Study data pack for learning

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As the world continues to deal with the pandemic, many schools have resorted to online classes as a safe and innovative way for students to continue learning new knowledge and skills.

  

To help students adapt to this new normal, mobile services provider Smart Communications, Inc. has launched Giga Study, a prepaid data pack aimed at giving students simpler access to a selection of learning apps and productivity tools.

  

Register via *123# or the new Smart App

Available to all Smart Prepaid and TNT subscribers, Giga Study 99 comes with 1 GB of data for specific study apps every day for 7 days, plus 2 GB of open-access data for only P99. To register, simply dial *123# and choose Giga and select Study. Subscribers can also avail of the promo conveniently via the new Smart App.

  

Giga Study offers access to Google Suite, which includes Google Classroom, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Gmail, Meet, and Drive. Learning via video is also an option with YouTube and YouTube Kids. The data pack also offers access to Microsoft 365, which includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Teams, and OneDrive. 

  

Giga Study adds to Smart and TNT's line of Giga offers, which are designed to cater to the various lifestyle needs and passions of customers. Recently, Smart also introduced Giga Work for those who need access to work and productivity apps.

Country’s fastest mobile data network

  

Smart and TNT subscribers can enjoy all these Giga offers powered by Smart LTE, the country’s fastest mobile network, as certified by third-party mobile analytics firms such as Ookla and Opensignal.

Ookla, the global leader in internet testing and analysis, recently named Smart as the country’s fastest mobile data network in the first half of 2020 after it achieved a Speed Score™ of 18.33, with average speeds of 15.94 Mbps for download, and 7.57 Mbps for upload, based on 2,810,963 user-initiated tests taken with Speedtest®.

On the other hand, Opensignal, an independent mobile analytics firm, reported in its April 2020 Mobile Network Experience Report for the Philippines that Smart remained ahead of the competition in terms of Video Experience, Upload and Download Speed Experience, Voice App Experience, Games Experience, and 4G Availability.

For more details on Smart’s products and services, follow Smart’s official accounts on Facebook at www.fb.com/SmartCommunications and Twitter and Instagram at @LiveSmart.

foodpanda, Globe Business help riders go the extra mile with new KaPanda plan

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foodpanda - the leading global online food delivery platform that operates in more than 40 countries and partner to over 1,000 restaurants nationwide—collaborated with Globe Business to come up with a solution to aid KaPanda riders in connecting to the brand’s delivery app, communicating with customers, and boosting their daily operations.

The partnership introduced the special postpaid line, KaPanda Plan 500 which provides foodpanda riders access to unlimited calls and texts to all networks and sizable data allocation. The plan lets them access Roadrunner, the foodpanda delivery app⁠ used to receive customer requests; pandariders, the company’s website; Facebook community and Telegram channels for fleet updates; and Waze for easier GPS navigation.

(Left to Right) foodpanda rider and Bearbro vlogger, Jemar Villocillo and foodpanda Community & Communications Manager, Jao Manahan

“Food delivery riders have displayed true heroism throughout the pandemic. Amid the risks, our KaPanda riders have relentlessly worked hard to provide communities with safe and convenient access to food, while ensuring their own families are taken care of,” shared Jao Manahan, foodpanda Community & Communications Manager. “We wanted to ease their burdens by providing them with affordable customized postpaid plans that allow them to easily communicate and connect. We’re grateful for Globe’s commitment to helping us serve our fleet.”

Jemar Villocillo, who’s been working with foodpanda as a loyal KaPanda food rider for almost two years, shared his excitement over the new special postpaid plan: “Malaki ang maitutulong ng KaPanda Plan sa aming mga delivery riders. Kaysa sa magpa-load kami bawat buwan para maka-connect sa mga customers, mas pinadali at ginawang abot kaya ng foodpanda at Globe ang magkaroon ng Postpaid lines. Gamit ang KaPanda Plan, maari na kaming makatawag at gumamit ng data nang hindi nag-aalala ukol sa load.”

The enterprise arm of Globe Telecom strives to bridge the gap between businesses and customers through the proliferation of digitalization in the country.  “Teaming up with companies such as foodpanda always brings us back to what matters⁠—empowering people,” explained Raymond Policarpio, Globe Business Vice President for Product Management and Marketing. “Similar to their mission of changing the way people see and experience food delivery, we seek to transform the experiences of our clients through our growing portfolio of digital solutions and services. We hope that with our products and partnerships, we’ll be able to help businesses scale, propel their digital transformation, and create a positive effect on the lives of people.”

In addition to its customized postpaid plans, Globe Business also offers large corporations a wide selection of ICT solutions—ranging from the Cloud, cybersecurity, voice, business applications, managed services, to connectivity. The telco giant believes that as more companies digitally transform their operations, communications, and security, more Filipinos will be able to benefit from the possibilities brought about by technology.

Streamline your operations with solutions that allow you and your team to communicate and connect with ease. Consult with your dedicated Globe Business Account Manager to find out how you can customize Postpaid Plans suited to your needs. Check out our website to learn more!

Say hello to RIA, Red Ribbon’s smart and friendly Messenger-based ordering service crew

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As families mark special moments from the comfort of their homes these days—birthdays, anniversaries, graduations—one thing remains constant: a Red Ribbon cake or pastry! 

Knowing how much these celebrations mean the world to everyone, and in their desire to fulfill their commitment towards customer safety and satisfaction, Red Ribbon proudly introduces RIA –the brand’s smart and friendly online service crew who will assist customers in ordering their favorite Red Ribbon cakes and pastries via Facebook Messenger.

“At Red Ribbon, we are constantly seeking ways for our customers to conveniently and safely enjoy our products especially during these times,” says Red Ribbon Marketing Head Kent Mariano. “In introducing RIA, we immediately thought of making her available on Messenger, which is widely-used and easy to access. What’s more, our customers can chat with RIA wherever they may be through their mobile device.”

So, who is RIA, you may ask? RIA is a contemporary and young take on a popular Filipina name, “Maria.” She is sweet – caring, thoughtful, genuine; vibrant – charming and light-hearted; and not to mention smart – highly knowledgeable and intuitive when it comes to customer’s needs. As your friendly online crew, when you interact with RIA, you can expect a respectful, concise, sweet and easy to understand response that makes ordering a thoroughly pleasant and enjoyable experience.

And when you think of RIA, who should she remind you of in real life?

None other than popular television host, social media maven and advocate Bianca Gonzalez-Intal. Everyone knows Bianca as intelligent and no-nonsense, a caring mother, and a devoted wife—who better then to serve as the inspiration behind RIA?

Now, how does one order through RIA? It’s mobile-friendly and easy as 1-2-3, just take note of these simple steps:

1. Go to Messenger and search Red Ribbon Bakeshop. 

2. Type "order" or click "Order Now" then choose how you would like to receive your order. 

3. Choose your product from the menu, and then proceed to checkout.

Watch Bianca Gonzalez-Intal herself in a how-to video that introduces RIA and the simple and easy to follow steps to order via Messenger here.

Customers are given the option to choose how they’d like to receive their order, whether it’s through Red Ribbon Delivery, Self-Pick-up, or Pick-up thru Grab. You can pay with cash or select among the available cashless payment options such as credit card including Visa, Mastercard and JCB, Paymaya, or Happy Plus (the last payment mode is for self pick-up orders only).

Through RIA, customers can order bestsellers such as Black Forest, Chocolate Dedication Cake, Rainbow Dedication Cake and Triple Chocolate Roll and favorites such as Mocha Dedication Cake, Cheesy Ensaimada, Butter Mamon, and Moist Choco Slice plus many more! One can also specify their personal message on their dedication cake order and add extra candles or fun theme toppers!

So, the next time you and your family have something special to celebrate at home, or if you’re simply craving for your Red Ribbon favorites, chat with RIA on Messenger now and have these delivered to your home safely and conveniently or picked up from your favorite Red Ribbon store. 

Take it from Bianca who knows that life is sweeter with a little bit of help from #RIAofRedRibbon!

The world of 5G is within your reach with Globe’s 5G-ready sims

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As more Filipinos embrace fully the fast-paced digital life, Globe continues to introduce breakthrough innovations to impact the lives of its customers 

In 2019, Globe was the first to launch 5G for broadband in South East Asia. This also positioned the Philippines as the third country in Asia to offer 5G connectivity, after South Korea and Japan. With broadband Airfiber, Globe at Home customers stay connected with the world right at home, with lightning-fast internet connection. In February 2020, Globe unveiled the first 5G service for mobile and introduced the first 5G device in the country, followed by more affordable 5G-capable smartphones.

Globe is yet again making another stride to make 5G more accessible to Filipinos by making its current LTE SIM cards future-proof to automatically work with 5G and receive 5G signal. Globe and TM customers won’t have to pay any additional fees or go to a Globe Store and change their SIM cards to enjoy lightning-fast connections.

To make the most of this cutting-edge and highly-anticipated technology, subscribers must upgrade to a 5G capable device. Globe is offering a suite of 5G-ready devices bundled with a postpaid plan at different price points, so everyone can enjoy the benefits of this upgraded connection.

Customers can experience the future of mobile technology in select locations. Now, faster and more reliable speeds can be enjoyed in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Valero Street in Makati, Rockwell Center, and Gen. Malvar in Ortigas. It will then be progressively rolled out to more areas in the country and to Prepaid customers.

5G is the next generation of wireless internet connectivity. With the technology, users can stream movies and TV shows with fewer lags, play immersive online games at the highest-quality, and provide the clearest resolution for video chats.

The new 5G SIMs will replace the LTE SIMs that are available across all Globe stores, the online shop, and official dealers and resellers. 

For more information, visit the website at https://www.globe.com.ph/5g.

Maxicare gives free COVID-19 testing for thousands of members

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To provide continuity of care and to ensure their members’ safety and well-being, Maxicare successfully recently hosted a 4-day free SARS COV2 Antibody Testing activities for 4,061 Maxicare members. 

With a simple and convenient process, members simply had to register and fill out a risk assessment form online. This was a quick and easy screening process that determined their risk category. Instructions were then given based on their respective categories. 

The initiative was met with much appreciation and gratitude from members and their families, both during the event and after. “Maxicare was very efficient. You will get a 1-hour window to show up and take the test in a large, events-purposed building in Bridgetowne, Quezon City. There were testing stations with proper queuing, social-distancing etc. The whole process took only about 30 mins,” Attorney Butch Dado narrated of his experience. 

Benjunar Barcoma, a sales engineer from Rohde & Shwarz (Philippines) Inc., was grateful for the peace of mind it afforded him. Another member, Dr. Kenneth Y. Hartigan-Go, an Associate Professor and Head of the Stephen Zuellig School of Development Management at the Asian Institute of Management, commended Maxicare’s integration of science and heart in this time of uncertainty. “It was a well-organized COVID-19 testing one Sunday morning, offering myself peace of mind.” 

Aside from the free tests, Maxicare continues to cover members infected with COVID-19. A total of 631 cases were confirmed, and 592 already recovered as of July 11, 2020. Amidst the lockdown, Maxicare clinics remained open, while strictly adhering to appropriate health protocols. Maxicare members who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and other health concerns are encouraged to call in through the 24/7 TeleConsult service to verify with licensed physicians whether or not they need to head to the hospital to avoid unnecessary exposure.

During these uncertain times, a sense of shared responsibility has seen the country coming together, while staying apart. The free test is “consistent with Maxicare’s mission of helping people achieve peace of mind through quality healthcare so they may live their best lives,” added Christian Argos, Maxicare President & CEO.