The operator will spend the next year making “significant network investments” to support the anticipated growth in data traffic. That will mean more converged product offerings that include mobile, fixed line, data, and multimedia content. Smart says it is also developing new businesses that will provide additional revenue streams beyond pure telco access.
Meanwhile, Smart will be working with e-commerce platform Rocket Internet to export the Smart Money platform to emerging markets beyond the Philippines, with launches scheduled for four Asian countries within the year.
Also, Smart is in talks with global financial service providers for possible tie-ups involving another in-house-developed service that enables people to protect credit cards or bank accounts from fraud by using their mobile phone to lock and unlock accounts.
Judges’ comment
Telecom CEO of the Year - “Mr Nazareno navigated a tough year in the face of serious competition both from telcos and OTT players, responding with characteristic innovation aimed at transforming the company from plain old access to a converged, digital communications business.”
Most Innovative Partnership - “These two companies successfully partnered to deliver innovative mobile money solutions and bring affordable financial services to underserved and marginalized customers, as well as fast cash for survivors of Typhoon Haiyan.”
Most Advanced Approach to Customer Experience - “Smart’s initiative to transform its retail hubs recorded an increase in overall customer satisfaction, and activations of broadband postpaid accounts that were 71% higher than the previous year’s activation figures.”
VIDEO: TELECOM ASIA AWARDS 2015 CEREMONY
Telecom Asia Awards 2015 Winners:
- Asia Carrier of the Year - Telstra
- Telecom CEO of the Year- Napoleon Nazareno, Smart Communications
- Best Mobile Carrier- Telstra
- Best Broadband Carrier- PCCW-HKT
- Best Emerging Market Operator - Globe Telecom
- Best Mobile Payment Service - Indosat, Dompetku (partnership with WorldRemit)
- Best Community Telecom Project - Ooredoo Myanmar, Maymay
- Most Innovative Telecom Project - SK Telecom, commercial tri-band LTE-Advanced service
- Best Cloud-Based Service - NTT Communications
- Most Innovative Partnership - Smart Communications, Land Bank
- Most Advanced Approach to Customer Experience - Smart Communications
- Most Advanced Approach to Analytics - Singtel, video-analytics-as-a-service (VAaaS)
- Most Innovative Video Service Project- KT, Olleh TV Mobile
- Best Managed Services Provider - BT Global Services
- Best International Wholesale Carrier- NTT Communications
- Best Data Center Services Provider - NTT Communications