OpenSignal: Globe outpaces competition in LTE speed, coverage

Providing fastest mobile internet service in the Philippines

OpenSignal State of LTE report:

Globe Telecom provides the fastest LTE service in the Philippines, affirming the superiority of its mobile internet service and network infrastructure amid intensely competitive environment in the local telecommunications industry.

Based on OpenSignal’s State of LTE report for the third quarter of 2015, Globe Telecom’s LTE download speed is at 10 Mbps, double its competition’s LTE download speed of only 5 Mbps. Globe Telecom’s LTE download speed is comparable to territories/countries like Hong Kong (Smart Tone), India (Airtel), Norway (Telenor, Network Norway), Portugal (NOS), Indonesia (Indosat), which all registered a 10 Mbps download speed, and even higher than the 8 Mbps download speed in Russia (MTS), Malaysia (DiGi) and even US (AT&T, US Cellular, Sprint, C Spire Wireless).

While Globe Telecom’s download speed of 10 Mbps is considered adequate, its competition’s download speed of 5 Mbps dragged down the Philippines’ average LTE download speed to 8Mbps. OpenSignal specializes in mobile coverage mapping by crowdsourcing signal strength, data speed and reliability. In terms of LTE coverage, that of Globe is also superior at 41% against its competitor’s 36%.

“These findings prove our success in continuously expanding our network capacities amid ever-increasing demand for high-speed mobile internet access as more and more of our customers

build their life and work experiences around a digital lifestyle,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe Senior Vice President for Corporate Communications, noting that about a third of the company’s 48.4 million mobile customers are now using smartphones.

As part of the company’s aggressive LTE rollout, the Globe network’s mobile ultra-broadband access in Visayas and Mindanao were expanded, utilizing the LTE-TDD and LTE-FDD technologies, Agustin said. Currently one of the most relevant mobile network technologies, 4G LTE offers much higher bandwidth, lower latency even as it increases overall network capacity. This allows customers to use more applications on their mobile devices.

Crisanto said the continuing expansion of Globe network capacities is intended to provide its customers with holistic digital experience as the company continues to offer products and services that enhance the Filipino digital lifestyle. “Globe is committed in providing the right infrastructure support to ensure that the data needs of our customers are served, thus strengthening our position as the network of choice for smartphone users in the country. When it comes to mobile internet speed, we believe that the Philippines can compete globally but there is a need to distinguish between mobile and wireline,” she added.

Amid ongoing network expansion, Globe capital expenditure this year is expected to reach $850 million. As of June this year, capex stood at P11.4 billion, bulk of which were allocated for data-related projects that include investments for the company’s broadband network, capacities for wireless data, LTE, domestic and international transmission facilities. A significant portion of the company’s capex for the year were also allotted for its IT infrastructure as Globe continues to create platform for new products as well as to build on its IT transmission initiatives.

The OpenSignal data is collected from real consumer smartphones and is recorded under conditions of normal usage. Rather than approximate the user experience, it is directly measured from the users of OpenSignal smartphone application, which can be freely downloaded on both iOS and Android devices, and thus it is able to constantly monitor the true network experience that users are getting on those devices.

Through the app, OpenSignal is able to observe the network exactly as the end user experiences it. Such customer-centric approach allows OpenSignal to measure the true end-to-end experience of the mobile network. It isolated the networks in the Philippines by extracting all those points sent with network IDs corresponding to the brands operational there and then perform a geographical query to isolate only those data points that have been captured within the region. The different brands have been identified by investigating the network names associated with the SIM in the reporting device and the network which is serving the device.

Power-Up with ASUS Notebooks and Get a stylish, limited edition ASUS ROG Shuttle Backpack plus, 2-Year Global Warranty

Power up with ASUS Notebooks and enjoy incredible performance, style and 2-Year Global Warranty at an amazing price. From October 1st until November 30th, select ASUS Notebooks with Intel™ Core® i5 and i7 processors are now bundled with limited edition water-resistant Republic of Gamers Shuttle Backpacks worth PHP 4,995 so you can bring your device wherever you go! Bag is roomy enough to fit most devices even laptops up to 17”. Store all your cables, mice, powerbanks and even other belongings in this functional ROG Backpack. Rainy days won’t be a problem since the water-resistant ROG Backpack keeps all your gadgets safe and secure.

As a big bonus, select ASUS notebooks now also come with a 2-year global warranty to lessen your worries on parts and services.

Protect your investment with an extended global warranty worth Php2,500 available for select ASUS notebook models with pre-loaded Microsoft Windows 10.

Benefits you can enjoy from the extended warranty services:

· Provides you with peace of mind knowing that you device is covered for two-years. 

· Save money on laptop repair service and parts 

· Convenience of enjoying the warranty in any of the 57 countries ASUS service centers are present. 

· Whether you plan to travel with your ASUS Notebook or plan to purchase it as a gift for your loved ones abroad, ASUS 2-year Global Warranty gives you the best value for your device.

Bundled ROG Backpacks Mechanics:

1. Promo is open to all endusers who purchase select ASUS notebooks from October 1 to November 30, 2015.

2. Each enduser who purchase any of the select ASUS notebook from authorized ASUS resellers will get a free ROG Shuttle backpack. One notebook is equivalent to one backpack.

3. Redemption of free item starts from November 1, 2015 and ends on January 31, 2016.

4. Enduser may claim their free backpacks in two (2) ways:

Claim at ASUS Concept Stores:

· Enduser must present the photocopy of their official receipt, serial number

box cut-out and provide their name, e-mail, contact number in the

following concept stores:

• SM Megamall (ASUS Shop-in-Shop), 4th Floor, SM Cyberzone

• SM North EDSA, 4th Floor, SM Cyberzone

• SM Fairview, 3rd Floor, SM Cyberzone

• Festival Supermall, 3rd Floor, Festival Supermall

• SM Lanang, 3rd Floor, SM Cyberzone

• SM Bacolod, 2nd Floor, SM Cyberzone

• SM Cabanatuan, 2nd Floor, SM Cyberzone

5. Ship to Customer’s Address

Enduser must email a copy of their official receipt, serial number box cut-out and provide their name, e-mail address, contact number and complete shipping address to: asusredemption@gmail.com.

Upon sending an email to ASUS from November 1. Customer just needs to wait up to 7days to receive the free item

6. Premiums are transferrable but not convertible to cash. Employees of ASUS Philippines, its advertising, PR and events agencies and their relatives up to the second degree of affinity or consanguinity are exempted from the promo.

Eligible model for free ROG Shuttle Backpacks

Feeling at home with the freelance lifestyle : A quick look at freelancing and the rise of online customer service

For freelancers, working at home is an incredibly attractive proposition. You don’t just get paid to develop your skills; you also get to exercise complete control over your own time and space as well. 

Global trends in the job market show that an increasing number of professionals are cutting their teeth on freelance work online, coinciding with the current ubiquity of the Internet in up to 40% of the world and its particular spike in demand for customer service agents.

According to industry statistics, the rising demand in customer care isn’t going away soon and this bodes well for the large number of skilled customer service people in the Philippines.

Thanks to the surge in online-based freelancer talent marketplaces like Upwork, customer service practitioners are in a position where they can successfully build entire international-standard careers for themselves, getting first-world pay without ever having to commute. 

This has proven to be incredibly appealing to businesses of all types and sizes —from bootstrapped startup to established enterprise—all over the world since they now have access to the talent they need to build phenomenal support teams thanks to an earth-sized talent pool of freelance professionals , giving an ultra-nuanced matching experience compared to traditional hiring methods.

The customer service category is one of the fastest growing categories on Upwork. Last year alone, companies spent 54 percent more than the year before. Increasingly companies are discovering the value of having a distributed customer support team – from reduced turnover to improved customer satisfaction and 24/7 multi-channel support.

If you are a passionate service professional looking to start practicing online freelance customer care, now is a great time to start.

The challenges of freedom

While the trend is unquestionably empowering for both businesses and freelancers, it is not without its quirks.

One thing that scares many aspiring online freelancers off early on is the fear of losing the distinction between “work time” and “home time.” For freelancers customer service professionals in the Philippines, the need to address this is particularly pressing.

Luckily, here are some tips to help you feel more at home with the freelance way of life:

Build your office

Your first step in kickstarting the freelance life is building the space you’ll be working in. While things should be welcoming and familiar for you, never forget that a clear work area goes hand in hand with a clear mind.

Remove unnecessary clutter from your table, and ensure that you have a professional-looking backdrop in case you need to face clients during your next online meeting. Also ensure that your immediate environment is quiet enough to work in. This will be your office from now on, so everything counts if you want to stay distraction-free, regardless if you’re offering email, chat, or voice support.

You may also need to secure a stronger or more reliable connection, as you may need the extra bandwith and speed for conference calls and long customer service sessions. Compare reviews and current product offerings from your preferred service provider.

Dress the part

The thought of going to work in your PJs is something many home-based professionals aspire for, but this may be particularly bad for you in the long run. 

A big part of the professional mindset knowing how to make the best possible impression when you present yourself to clients. The gesture alone shows them that you’re willing to be the best version of yourself for them, and it helps build trust between both parties.

While you may be incredibly talented, it’s hard to trust someone to deliver if they look like they just got out of bed all the time. Just think of it as something that cements your image as a working professional. Studies also show that a healthy self-image boosts productivity and motivation. It’s never a bad idea to dress up for work!

Develop a routine

People need a routine to ground them to certain aspects of their working lives. For many, this starts as early as the morning commute; something that may be foreign to the home-based customer care professional. I mean, how far do you have to walk to go from your house to… the other end of your house?

Try setting routine habits to get you into that working mood. Some would prefer a quick morning workout before the bulk of the day’s deliverables. Others cook, while others would prefer a simple walk to the nearest coffee shop for a good cup of coffee.

With opportunities to develop your customer service agent career, the comforts of home, and all the time you need for the things that matter in life; could you ask for a sweeter life? If you are a skilled customer service agent , online freelancing can make your dream of a freestyle life come true.

About Upwork:

Upwork is the world’s largest freelance talent marketplace. As an increasingly connected and independent workforce goes online, knowledge work — like software, shopping and content before it — is shifting online as well. This shift is making it faster and easier for clients to connect and work with talent in near real-time and is freeing professionals everywhere from having to work at a set time and place.  Upwork is headquartered in Mountain View, Calif., with offices in San Francisco and Oslo, Norway. 

For more information, visit the website at www.upwork.com, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Cherry Mobile launches Intel-powered MAIA Series, introduces newest endorser Janella Salvador

Cherry Mobile and Intel launches the MAIA Series - Fone i4, MAIA PAD, and the MAIA SMART TAB and presents Cherry Mobile’s newest endorser, teen actress and singer Janella Salvador with the campaign #KayaWithMAIA last September 29, 2015.

Empowerment and freedom to make their own choices have always been the clamor of today’s young generation. From making their next day fashion statement, down to choosing their next gadget, they always look forward to the opportunity to become independent young adults. Keeping their desires in mind, Cherry Mobile, the country’s leading value-for-money phone brand, recently collaborated with Intel to provide the youth and young professionals better smartphones and tablets that will surely empower them to achieve more and reach their dreams – the MAIA series.

The performance-driven MAIA series was officially launched alongside Cherry Mobile’s newest endorser, teen actress and singer Janella Salvador with the campaign #KayaWithMAIA to highlight the new series’ aim to power the youth’s passion. Just like Janella, Cherry Mobile’s newest Intel-powered devices will make a mark in the local electronic device landscape through the MAIA series’ two tablets, the MAIA Pad and MAIA Smart Tab, and the MAIA Fone i4.

“Cherry Mobile’s latest MAIA series is dedicated to the youth with their untiring passion in mind. By introducing these devices, we hope that the youth and young professionals would have more avenues to express their passions and realize their dreams just like Janella, who embodies our campaign #KayaWithMAIA,” said Maynard Ngu, CEO - Cherry Mobile.

Young professionals—and even the young-at-heart— can truly stay stylishly connected without jeopardizing functionality with the MAIA Fone i4, equipped with an Intel Atom x3 1.0GHz 64-bit processor, and Android Kitkat 4.4 Operating System out-of-the-box. Capping off this smartphone’s sweet offerings is its 4” Capacitive Screen, 4GB internal Memory expandable to 64GB via MicroSD, and Dual-SIM capabilities.

Following the series’ smartphone contender is the MAIA Pad, powered by the same Intel Atom x3 Processor. The MAIA Pad comes with the Android KitKat 4.4.4 operating system and 1GB RAM and 8GB internal memory expandable up to 32GB via MicroSD. The 7” widescreen tablet is equipped with a USB OTG for maximum on-the-go productivity, and also offers users various connection options with its Dual-SIM and HSPA+ capabilities.

Topping off the MAIA Series is Cherry Mobile’s newest 8” tablet, the MAIA Smart Tab. Powered by the Intel Atom Z3735F 1.8GHz quad-core processor, the MAIA Smart Tab is equipped with Smart Boot, enabling it to carry both Android KitKat 4.4 and Windows 8.1 as operating systems. It comes with an upgraded 2GB of RAM and 32GB internal memory upgradable to 64GB through its MicroSD card. It is also equipped with the same USB-OTG features and a 3,800mAh battery on top of Wi-Fi and dual-sim HSPA+ capabilities to ensure that users maximize their productivity wherever they connect.

“Today’s youth are more empowered and capable than ever. Their technological savvy presents them with the opportunities to accomplish more given the right avenues to express their passion. This is what we aim to leverage through our partnership with Cherry Mobile. The new MAIA series of mobile devices can help us provide amazing experiences to the youth, empowering them through affordable but competitive devices to help them take control of their productivity,” said Calum Chisholm, Intel Philippines Country Manager.

Cherry Mobile MAIA Series:  MAIA Fone i4, MAIA PAD, and the MAIA SMART TAB

The MAIA Fone i4 comes with an Intel Atom x3 processor, Android Kitkat 4.4 OS, a 4-inch capacitive screen, 4GB internal memory expandable up to 64 GB with an microSD card, and dual-SIM Capabilities. The smartphone is priced at P1,999.

The MAIA Pad is also powered by an Intel Atom x3 processor, as it comes with an Android Kitkat 4.4.4 OS, 1GB RAM, 8GB internal memory expandable by up to 32GB through microSD, has dual-SIM options, and has a 7” screen. The tablet is priced at P2,999.

The MAIA Smart Tab with its 8-inch screen is powered by an Intel Atom Z3735F 1.8GHz quad-core processor, as it comes with Smart Boot, enabling the tablet to function with operating systems: Kitkat 4.4 and Windows 8.1; 2BG RAM, 32 GB internal memory expandable up to 64 GB through microSD, and 3,800mAh battery. The tablet is priced at P4,999.

For more information about the Chery Mobile MAIA series, check out www.cherrymobile.com.ph or visit official facebook fan page at: www.facebook.com/cherrymobile