Viber as an alternative to voice & SMS roaming? (Philippines)

Viber as an alternative to voice & SMS roaming? (Philippines)

In the next 3 weeks, I will be in Europe for some business and personal vacation. Since I was granted a 30-day Schengen visa, I thought I do some side trips before going home (it’s Germany for official business and France and Italy for a little bit of travel).

I’ve been to Germany twice before so I know how much I spent for international roaming (and it was expensive) so I thought an extended stay will be disastrous to my phone bills (last time it was around Php30k for the two weeks).

Several months ago, I tried Viber. I also knew about WhatsApp but I liked Viber better because it supports voice calls and SMS over IP. The tight integration between my GSM contacts and the App was also a good way for me to consolidate contacts (meaning, only those that are already listed in my SIM contacts are automatically seen and added).



Since Viber is supported on a lot of iOS and Android devices, I’m pretty sure a lot of my contacts can also use it. So it’s only a matter of just telling them to use it to contact me while I’m out of the country.

The only other issue is for me to be able to find internet connection while I’m abroad. I’ve got my pocket WiFi with me and I’m just checking out which mobile 3G network in Germany is best to use for data.
And of course, there’s Facebook, Twitter and Email.

Note: This is where I’m telling you to install it now if you want to reach me in the next 3 weeks.

Images Credit: http://www.yugatech.com 

source: http://www.yugatech.com

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Smart Communications Wins Big at Anvil Awards (Philippines)

Smart Communications Wins Big at Anvil Awards (Philippines)

Smart Communications, the country’s leading and largest wireless service provider, received the most number of trophies at the 47th Anvil Awards held at Edsa Shangri-La Hotel recently.

Smart in a Facebook Note said the company won awards for its public relations programs, namely:

• Jump - the new Experience Center of PLDT and Smart which represents a bold shift from the usual retail center to a cutting-edge display of convergence, innovations and communication;
• Text to Donate - collaterals designed for the SMS-based micro-donation program initiated by Smart and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF); and
• Tanim - a cinema ad developed in partnership with USAID Ecogov and SM Cinema, which advocates the importance of interconnectivity of ecosystems and resources.

  

  Image Credit: Coolbuster

  The telco also bagged Anvil awards of excellence for the following programs:

• Kabalikat - Smart’s umbrella program for all its corporate social responsibility initiatives;
• Communiteach - a community-mentoring program that aims to improve the level of education of public elementary school students; and
• Sierra Madre Trek - a tribute trek for slain botanist Leonardo L. Co to help strengthen public appreciation for the man and his work, as well as the beauty and biodiversity of the Northern Sierra Madre Nature Park.

Twenty five (25) merit awards were also given to Smart for its various PR programs in the areas of customer care, human resources, financial services, education, environment, disaster preparedness and response, and health.

All in all, Smart received thirty one (31) trophies.

The Anvil Awards, dubbed the “Oscars” of local PR practice, is an annual event organized by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP).

It recognizes organizations that demonstrated integrity, excellence, and concern for the public interest in their programs and tools which were implemented from October 2010 to October 2011.

source: CoolBuster

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