In unli text war, Globe calls Smart ‘copycat’

The over-the-top competition between the country’s top mobile operators exploded anew on Friday as Globe Telecom tried to top an unlimited text offer rolled out by fierce rival Smart Communications.

A day after Smart rolled out its “LahaTxt Unli 25” which allows Smart subscribers to send SMS to all networks a day for P25, the Ayala-owned carrier held a hastily arranged press briefing to announce its SuperUnli AllTxt25 offer, which essentially provides the same service but with an added one hour of free mobile Internet.

During the briefing, Globe senior advisor for consumer business Peter Bithos fired some potshots at Smart, which he said has been lavishly copying its voice and SMS offerings.

“We’ve rolled out our services with less hoopla compared to our competition even if they’re the ones who are copying us,” remarked Bithos. “But if imitation is the best form of flattery, then I guess we’re happy that Smart is imitating us.”

The official also said that Smart’s advertising materials have been noticeably similar to Globe’s, particularly with its Touch Mobile (TM) collaterals. “Their ads are looking more like ours lately,” he said.

Globe, the executive said, pioneered the introduction of unlimited all-network SMS. In March this year, Globe offered through its TM prepaid brand an unlimited all-network SMS service to selected provinces. The company, he added, is also the first to offer an unlimited text messaging service under a postpaid plan.

Bithos said Smart could be envious of the fact that Globe has stolen two percent of the overall mobile share the Pangilinan-led operator in the second quarter of 2010.

As for its latest unlimited text offer, this is the biggest that Globe has implemented to date although Bithos said the company is ready to go head-to-head with Smart if the latter decides to take the fight even further.

With the SuperUnli AllTxt25, Bithos said subscribers would no longer need an extra phone or SIM because they can now send SMS to all 85 million mobile subscribers nationwide.

To avail of the service, subscribers must text UALL25 and send to 8888. The subscriber must maintain P1 balance to enjoy the service.

Meanwhile, Smart has also announced its latest unli offering for postpaid – the Unli Text Plan 299 and Unli Call & Text Plan 599.

For P299 a month, Unli Text Plan 299 is an entry-level postpaid package for heavy texters. Aside from allowing subscribers to send unlimited local texts, the promo also comes with a free Samsung E1080 GSM handset.

For those who are also into calling, the Unli Call & Text Plan 599 offers unlimited local calls and a more premium Nokia C1-01 handset.

Unli services for both plans, which available until October 7, are automatically activated upon availing the plan. No additional SMS or Web registration is required.

Source: http://newsbytes.ph/2011/07/15/in-unli-text-war-globe-calls-smart-%E2%80%98copycat%E2%80%99/

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