Smart Communications Inc. said Monday it recorded 42.6 million active data users in 2021, up 11 percent from a year ago on growing preference for 5G network.
“We are confident that with the easing of mobility restrictions, the increase in economic activity and the growing adoption of 5G, we will see a lift in individual wireless revenues,” PLDT Inc. and Smart president and chief executive Alfredo S. Panlilio said.
PLDT’s individual wireless business, which includes mobile brands Smart and TNT, held steady in 2021 despite limited mobility brought about by pandemic-related restrictions and increased competition.
Individual wireless revenues reached P86.2 billion in 2021, matching the previous year’s record performance, with data/broadband contributing 80 percent of the segment’s revenues.
The increase in active data users followed strategic brand building campaigns and product innovations, channeled mainly through Smart’s GigaLife mobile app, which increased brand relevance and enabled stronger customer digital adoption and engagement.
These resulted in 16-percent increase in mobile data traffic to 3,337 petabytes last year.
The GigaLife app, which acquired over 10 million users in less than two years, is the most downloaded network management app in 2021, according to App Annie, a leading global provider of mobile data and analytics.
GigaLife App’s other features and integrations also enhanced the customers’ digital lifestyle.
GigaPay allows users to link their PayMaya wallet for in-app transactions such as buying load, subscribing to promos and paying bills. Meanwhile, GigaPlay provides exclusive content experiences on the Smart network, giving users access to the NBA, PBA, K-pop concerts, Korean dramas, pay-per-view films and variety shows.
GigaPlay will continue to expand its content library and will be streaming the UAAP games live starting March 2022.