Smart Communications Inc. said on Tuesday it expects to sustain the growth of its mobile data business amid rising usage and better monetization of digital services.
“To boost data usage, we are making available a wide range of handsets and devices bundled with generous data packages, as well as more relevant digital content and services. At the same time, we are working on improving the network for better quality, coverage, and internet speed for the best customer experience,” said PLDT Inc. and Smart chief revenue officer Eric Alberto,
Smart posted a 45-percent year-on-year increase in its mobile data revenues of P12.5 billion in the first nine months of 2016. Revenues on a quarter-on-quarter basis were also up 14 percent.
Smart’s monetization of its mobile data business continued to improve as a 43-percent increase in usage during the nine-month period translated into a 45-percent growth in revenues compared with the same period last year, when a 139-percent jump in usage saw only a subsequent 42-percent rise in revenues.
The higher mobile data revenues helped prop up wireless revenues for the period as voice and text revenues remain under pressure.
Data in the third quarter of 2016 already accounted for 32 percent of the total wireless revenues from 30 percent in the second quarter and 28 percent in the first three months of the year. Mobile data revenues last year contributed 23 percent to consolidated wireless sales.
About half of Smart’s 65 million subscribers as of end-September 2016 are already using smartphones.
The PLDT Group had allotted P48 billion in capital spending to improve the customer’s overall data experience. It is currently in the midst of a three-year network expansion program that includes a 4G-centric network build out; full integration of the Sun and Smart networks; and rollout of Wifi hotspots in transport hubs and other high-volume traffic areas.