Smart launches wireless meters, payment apps

Smart Communications Inc. on Monday launched a suite of services, working on synergies with its affiliates, to help corporations make their operations more efficient. In a disclosure by parent Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. with the Philippine Stock Exchange, Smart Communications said it unveiled its “enterprise" services, taking advantage of Smart Communication’s national wireless network to enhance the products of sister companies in power distribution and toll road operations. The new services are Smart Metering and Tollway Pass, which the company said are parts of efforts to find new revenues in mobile communications as the traditional market for voice calls and text messaging as fast becoming mature sources of income. “With the introduction of the Smart Enterprise brand, we are reaffirming our commitment to shift from a mere traditional product-centric telecom provider into, hopefully, a customer-focused information and communications technology solutions partner to all of our enterprise relationships," said Eric Alberto, head of the Smart Enterprise group. Smart Meters are modem-equipped digital devices that transmit data via wireless Internet, developed in cooperation with sister company Manila Electric Co. (Meralco). “Among its benefits include savings on the risks and costs involved in deploying human agents to read power meters, perform maintenance and disconnect and activate power," Smart Communications said. More transparent charges Smart Communications said its meters would allow Meralco to take accurate readings of a company’s power consumption for more transparent charges. The Tollway Pass, meanwhile, is aimed at companies that use vehicle fleets in their daily operations. Companies using Tollway Pass could monitor their vehicles and efficiently manage their fleet. Toll payments for North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) are sent as wireless transactions, eliminating the risk of pilferage common in cash transactions, according to Smart Communications. NLEx is operated by Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC), a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. — led by Manuel V. Pangilinan, the president and CEO of Meralco, and chairman of Smart Communications. “Trucks and other vehicles pass through what Smart Enterprise envisions to become a barrier-less tollgates, making for much faster and smoother rides," Alberto said. Orlando Vea, chief wireless adviser of Smart Communications, said Tollway Pass and Smart Metering were borne of efforts to find new revenue streams for the telecom firm as the market for traditional services such as voice calls and text messages nears maturity. “The latest chapter in the mobile phone’s evolution is its realization as a viable business platform… Herein lies the next frontier of synergies and innovation," Vea said. — VS, GMA News