Google and Globe Telecom Launch Free Mobile Internet in Philippines

Globe Telecom of the Philippines has become one of the world's first telecom operators to offer access to the internet and select Google services on internet-enabled mobile phones without any data charges.

Globe launched Free Zone powered by Google for Globe Prepaid and TM subscribers, giving them access to Google Search, Gmail, and Google+ on feature phones and smartphones at no cost via libre.ph. All a subscriber needs is an internet-capable handset.

With the new mobile internet promotion, Globe extends the experience of being online all the time to even its most budget-conscious subscribers. The offer is initially available to more than 30 million Globe Prepaid and TM subscribers nationwide until 31 March 2013.

"Our products and services are all about empowering our subscribers, and Free Zone testifies to this promise yet again. Free Zone powered by Google empowers subscribers by letting them be in the know and keeping them updated right at their fingertips. The best part is, subscribers don't need to worry about getting charged, so they can enjoy visiting sites through Google and other Google services worry-free," said Peter Bithos, Senior Advisor for Consumer Business of Globe. 

Andrew McGlinchey, Head of Products for Southeast Asia at Google, added, "We wanted to make search available to as many people as possible. But a free search result isn't much good if you can't then go to the website. So we decided to make all those websites available as part of the package as well. We're hoping Free Zone will make the mobile Internet feel like a necessity that everyone can use rather than a luxury."

With Free Zone, users get unlimited access to:

Search: Users can search the internet and access the first page of websites from the results without getting charged. If they click further, users are directed to a page where they can subscribe to a data plan to continue. But for as long as they stay within the Free Zone, charging will not take place.

Email: Even without a data plan, users can still send and receive text emails while on the go via Gmail. Uploading and downloading attachments do carry corresponding data charges.

Sharing: Google+ lets users share the right things with the right people at the right time. Check out family photos and share within an intimate circle just as easily as you can follow the latest Lady Gaga updates.

The versions of Google Search, Gmail and Google+ on Free Zone are designed to work well with feature phones that lack the technological firepower of a smartphone. Google built the software and Globe became the first operator in the world to make it work on its network, making the Philippines the first place in the world to use this new product.

See other recent news regarding: Travel News Asia, RevPAR, Interviews, Pictures, Sports Tourism, Videos, Mobile, Google, Philippines