WIRELESS services provider Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) will vie for multiple recognitions for this year’s World Communication Awards (WCA), organized by London-based publication Total Telecom.

The PLDT subsidiary submitted bids for three categories. Smart is in the running for Best Operator in an Emerging Market for transforming and future-proofing its network through the accelerated deployment of Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced, and carrier aggregation technology. While doing so, it continues to offer data packages that are relevant to, and affordable for Filipinos.

Smart’s partnership with video-sharing giant YouTube for “Free YouTube Everyday” is nominated for Best IPTV Innovation. The collaboration introduced a new service for building the “video every day” habit, as subscribers were provided with one free hour of data daily for streaming on YouTube. The service is automatic upon registration to Smart prepaid promos worth P20 and up, thus enabling prepaid subscribers to enjoy free data for videos by purchasing something they normally do. Postpaid subscribers under a monthly plan are automatically entitled to the service.

LearnSmart, the company’s education program which encourages the use of wireless and mobile technologies to enhance learning, is shortlisted under the Social Contribution category for its Mother Tongue-Based Literacy Apps. The suite of interactive mobile applications featuring alphabet and number exercises, as well as songs and games in local dialect, were developed in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) and academic institutions nationwide. To-date, Smart has launched nine LearnSmart literacy applications: Bahay Kubo (Filipino), Kaalam (Cebuano), Ta’allam and Tahderiyyah (Arabic), Matisalug (Matigsalug indigenous peoples Tribe of Davao and Bukidnon), Kaaram (Waray), Katao (Inabaknon), Singsing (Kapampangan), and Sanut (Ilokano).

Now on its 21st year, the WCA has recognized innovation and excellence for global telecoms, and today continues to be one of the most revered mark of achievement in the telecom industry. Smart previously received a WCA for its education program School-in-a-Bag, which won the Social Contribution Award in 2018.

Winners for this year will be announced at a ceremony to be held on Oct. 30, 2019 at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. (PR)