Game On: Vivo Y03 Hits Market for as Low as PHP 3,999

MANILA, PHILIPPINES, May 2024 - Looking for a budget gaming phone? You're in luck as Vivo launches its most affordable gaming phone, Y03, for as low as Php 3,999.

Despite its budget-friendly price, the Vivo Y03 still offers features tailored for gamers. Here are six compelling reasons why vivo Y03 is an entry-level go-to gaming phone:

1. 4GB RAM and 128GB ROM. Featuring 4GB RAM with up to 4GB extended RAM and 128GB of storage, expandable up to 1TB, the Vivo Y03 ensures smooth multitasking and ample space for your favorite games.

2. Ultra Game Mode and Multi-Turbo 5.5. Elevate your gaming experience with the vivo Y03’s Ultra Game Mode, providing background call management, no incoming call interruptions, and Multi Turbo 5.5 technology for optimized performance.

3. Hyper Engine Gaming Technology. Powered by the MediaTek Helio G85 processor with Hyper Engine enhancements, the Vivo Y03 delivers sustained performance and longer gameplay sessions.

4. 90Hz Sunlight Display. Immerse yourself in lifelike visuals with the vivo Y03’s 90Hz sunlight display, perfect for gaming and multimedia consumption.

5. 150% Audio Booster. Experience immersive sound quality with the vivo Y03’s audio booster, delivering up to 150% volume for an enhanced gaming audio experience.

6. IP54 Rating. With an IP54 rating, the Vivo Y03 offers protection against dust and water, ensuring durability and reliability.

Available in Gem Green and Space Black variants, the Vivo Y03 is now accessible at an unbeatable price point. With 4GB RAM and 64GB ROM for only Php 3,999, and 4GB RAM and 128GB ROM for only Php 4,999, the Vivo Y03 sets a new standard for affordability without compromising performance.

Buy Vivo Y03 in all vivo concept stores, kiosks, and online via the Vivo website, Shopee, and Lazada.

Why Filipino Business Owners Shouldn't Miss the 14th PHILSME Business Expo

Filipino business owners shouldn’t miss the 14th Philippine SME Business Expo (PHILSME) scheduled to take place from May 10 to 11 at the SMX Convention Center Manila in Pasay City, Metro Manila.

With over 120 sponsors and exhibitors participating, the expo promises to showcase 180 business solutions across various sectors such as finance, banking, advertising, healthcare, HR & recruitment, IT, payroll solutions, logistics, co-working spaces, franchising, telecommunications, AI solutions, Tourism, Business outsourcing solutions, Web Design services, and many more.

The event will also feature 30 keynotes and presentations delivered by esteemed industry experts and leaders, providing invaluable insights on the latest trends and developments in the business world.

Doors will be open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, welcoming all entrepreneurs, business owners, and C-level executives seeking products to grow and scale

their businesses. The opening ceremony will be held at 9:00 am on May 10 and visitors can now register for the two-day event online, free of charge.

This 2024 edition’s co-presenters and Diamond sponsors are Esquire Financing Inc. and Innity Philippines while the Platinum sponsors include Odoo, AutoCount, InsureTayo, Toyota Financial Services Philippines Corporation, and PLDT Enterprise. Gold sponsors include Maybank, GCash, Bossjob, Radius Telecoms Inc., Benchmark Email, Green Tape, and Finest Media PH, and the Silver sponsors are Security Bank, Canva, Zoho Corporation, IWG, Maxilife, Acer Philippines, Sprout Solutions, and Evident Integrated Marketing.

The 14th PHILSME Business Expo organized by Mediacom Solutions Inc. is the Philippines’ biggest business-to-business trade show empowering thousands of SME Business Owners, Start-Ups, and Entrepreneurs across the country.

PHILSME is the legacy of the Philippine SME Business Expo and Network founder and then SME Business Growth Enabler, David Abrenilla.

Quoting Trixie Esguerra-Abrenilla, the current Managing Director of PHILSME, she says: “We were told that people see us as a cross-pollinator of business opportunities and we take that as an honor and a big responsibility. We continue what David started and we are here to stay as we help boost your business.” 

Register Now to Attend for FREE at https://www.philsme.com/visit-us/

Smart Drives Increase in 5G Data Traffic Powered by the Philippines’ Best 5G Coverage Experience

5G is fast becoming the connectivity of choice among mobile subscribers in the country. Leading integrated telco network PLDT Inc (PLDT)'s wireless subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc (Smart) saw a sustained increase in average monthly 5G data traffic in 2023, bolstered by its award-winning 5G mobile network.

In 2023, average quarterly 5G data traffic almost doubled, up 95% compared to the previous year. In the fourth quarter of 2023 alone, Smart posted a 16-percent increase in average monthly data traffic on its 5G network, versus the previous period. Driving this growth were the availability of new, more affordable 5G devices and the continued push of Postpaid Unli5G Signature plans.

"As we strive to continue delivering the best mobile experience to our customers, we also ensure that our offers are value-packed and relevant and that we are also able to make the latest handsets more accessible for our subscribers to make it easier for them to upgrade," said Alex O. Caeg, Head of Smart Consumer Wireless Business.

Supporting this continuous increase in data usage is Smart's mobile network, which was recently recognized for delivering the Philippines' Best 5G Coverage Experience, according to the latest report by independent analytics firm Opensignal. Smart's mobile network covers 97% of the population and is part of the Philippines’ largest integrated network that includes PLDT’s 1.1-million-kilometer fiber infrastructure.

"Coverage is key to 5G adoption. Our latest citation from Opensignal is a testament to Smart's commitment to expanding the reach of our network across the Philippines. These efforts are also bearing fruit, as can be seen in the increase in our 5G data traffic, which has practically doubled," Caeg added.

Smart's initiatives to deliver enhanced mobile products and services are aligned with the PLDT Group’s endeavors to narrow the digital divide and provide connectivity to all, supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG), particularly on SDG No. 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure. These also reinforce the Group’s support for the Government's overall digitalization thrust.

Packworks partners with Help.NGO to bring Starlink internet connectivity to sari-sari stores in Catanduanes

April 2024 Philippines — Packworks, a Filipino startup that offers a business-to-business (B2B) FMCG marketplace for sari-sari stores, has launched SariLink in partnership with the international non-profit organization Help.NGO aimed at providing fast and reliable Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Connectivity through Starlink Internet to close the digital divide and boost local entrepreneurship in the Philippines.

The partnership, currently in its pilot run, has installed LEO communication terminals in select micro-retail stores in Catanduanes. This strategic move empowers small entrepreneurs in the far-flung areas of the island to be digitally connected by leveraging innovative solutions provided by the Packworks platform.

The SariLink program is designed to bridge the digital gap that micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) often face due to unreliable internet access. The “Better Internet for All Filipinos” 2024 report by the World Bank indicates that despite recent advancements, the Philippines is still lagging behind neighboring countries in Southeast Asia (SEA) in terms of internet connectivity. The report highlights that affordability, speed, and access create a disparate digital landscape.

Moreover, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that Internet access and speed are significantly lower in rural regions, underscoring the challenge of reaching geographically isolated and rural areas.

With the newly installed LEO connection through Starlink, which can achieve speeds up to 220 Mbps download and 80 Mbps upload, stores in Catanduanes now have access to tools to digitize their operations, including pricing tools, inventory management, and sales and revenue tracking. They are also able to process digital payments and access vital inventory financing services to help them grow their businesses. 

Store beneficiaries enrolled in the SariLink program will be monitored for sales growth using Amazon Web Services (AWS) data analytics to ensure they receive the right support to optimize their operations and grow their businesses effectively.

One of the beneficiary sari-sari store owners, Cynthia Icaonapo, 49, from Pandan, Catanduanes, has shared that the LEO connection through Starlink is provided by the partnership between Packworks and Help.NGO has significantly improved her business management.

"Noon, manu-mano naming sinusulat ang bawat pinamimili ng mga customer at mobile data lang ang gamit namin na mabagal sa aming lugar. Kaya laking pasasalamat namin at nakabitan kami ng Starlink Internet dahil mas pinadali na nito ang bawat transaksyon namin sa araw-araw," said Icaonapo.

("Before, we manually wrote down each customer's purchases, and we only used mobile data, which was slow in our area. So, we are very grateful to have been connected to Starlink Internet because it has greatly simplified our daily transactions.")

After being installed with the LEO Internet terminal, in the full month of February 2024, Icaonapo’s store, Nisos Variety Store, increased its transactions by about 53% compared to the previous month.

The initiative is aligned with Help.NGO's Technology Advocacy and Resilience Programme, in collaboration with AWS, aiming to enhance the readiness and resilience of vulnerable communities worldwide through strategic technology use.

“Bridging the digital divide, especially in isolated communities, can bring outsized impact on resiliency by giving people the ability to communicate and connect to the internet, they are able to build their own resilience. We are excited to work with local partners, including Packworks, to push resilience through connectivity,” said Matthew Cua, Innovation Director of Help.NGO.

Packworks Co-founder and Chief Platform Officer Hubert Yap expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, "We are thrilled to partner with Help.NGO, a collaboration that advances our vision of bringing digitization to the forefront of Philippine economic development. This partnership is not just about providing technology but about crafting a future where every small business owner has the tools to succeed in the digital age. Through this strategic collaboration, we are excited about the potential to expand this initiative, ensuring that the benefits of digital connectivity reach every corner of the Philippines and setting a precedent for grassroots-level economic resilience and sustainability.”

Packworks and Help.NGO share a commitment to advocating for financial and digital literacy at the grassroots level aimed at building more resilient and strong communities. Packworks, founded by Yap and co-founders Bing Tan and Ibba Bernardo, emerged from their drive to improve goods accessibility for remote sari-sari stores during their passion project of delivering solar panels to provinces and far-flung places.

On the other hand, Help.NGO, registered in the European Union (EU) with operations globally, specializes in emergency response, preparedness, risk mitigation, and prevention. The organization employs cutting-edge technological solutions and its extensive expertise to strengthen national and international disaster response capabilities, ensuring communities can better withstand and recover from emergencies.

The SariLink program will be in its one-year pilot run and calls for partners and funders to help push it further to expand to other rural areas in the country. 

Eastern Communications Clinches Double Victory at 2024 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards for Network Infra and Thought Leadership

Manila, Philippines — Eastern Communications, the Philippines’ premier telecommunications provider, gained international recognition as a Bronze Stevie Award winner at the 2024 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards. The award-giving body honors outstanding achievements in business across the region, celebrating organizations and individuals who demonstrate excellence in various fields.

"We are honored to be recognized once again by the APAC Stevie Awards. This win reaffirms our role in driving the digital transformation in the Philippines. We will continue to empower businesses and communities through our infrastructure expansion and ICT education initiatives,” said Atty. Aileen Regio, Co-Coordinator of Eastern Communications.

Eastern bagged the bronze award for Innovation in Technology Management, Planning & Implementation (Telecommunications Industries) for its nationwide campaign to bolster its infrastructure, expand its presence, and support various telecommunication needs throughout the Philippines.

With a dedicated investment of Php 4.3 billion, the company successfully achieved over 98% expansion of its network footprint by the end of 2023. Its strategic initiatives included the deployment of a terrestrial and submarine cable infrastructure across key regions, facilitating enhanced connectivity and access to digital services in previously underserved areas.

Eastern’s continued support for the nation’s digital transformation was exemplified through its collaboration with the Philippine Domestic Submarine Cable Network (PDSCN) project, establishing resilient undersea fiber-optic connectivity to 24 segments and 33 points of interconnection (POIs).

Moreover, the company maintained its position as an industry thought leader by securing the bronze recognition for Thought Leadership Campaign of the Year once again. Its B2B campaign for focus industries provided valuable insights and support across key industries to navigate the challenges of the post-pandemic market.

Through strategic partnerships with industry associations and business chambers, Eastern Communications launched the Ehuddle and Eastern Huddle campaigns that featured webinars, on-ground learning sessions, and events focused on topics such as resilience, digital transformation, and future-proofing businesses.

“We believe that digitalization will propel businesses forward. By sharing our expertise with Filipino enterprises, we not only support their individual growth but also contribute to the economic progress of our community and stakeholders," said Vince Tempongko, Eastern Communications’ Co-Coordinator.

"As we continue to launch new products and build meaningful partnerships, we endeavor to bring innovations that will drive sustainable growth and progress across the nation," he added.

To learn more about Eastern Communications’ products and services, contact 5300-7000 or visit www.eastern.com.ph.