M1 adopts Smart strategy in new mobile initiative aimed at Filipinos in Singapore

 SINGAPORE, 9 December 2005 - M1 and PLDT Singapore are entering into a strategic partnership to provide prepaid mobile services to the sizeable Filipino community in the region. The Co-operation Agreement was signed today by Neil Montefiore, Chief Executive Officer of M1 and Alfredo S Panlilio, President/ CEO of PLDT Global.The mobile services, targeted for launch in the first quarter of next year, will be marketed under the SMART brand by PLDT Singapore. Smart Communications, a wholly owned subsidiary of PLDT, is the leading cellular mobile operator in the Philippines and a household name to Filipinos.

SMART will use M1’s network and operational infrastructure to offer voice and SMS services to the estimated 130,000 Filipinos working in Singapore. It will also offer value-added services such as Filipino-centric contents and m-commerce services that will meet the needs of the Filipino community here.

This new venture will build on the existing close ties between M1 and SMART, which are both pioneer members of the regional group of mobile operators, Asia Mobility Initiative (AMI), formed in 2003.
M1’s Mr Montefiore, said : "This partnership will enable M1 to serve a very specific segment of mobile customers by leveraging on the unique competitive advantage that PLDT and SMART enjoy within the Filipino community. Leveraging on the SMART brand and the good understanding of the communication needs of this community, PLDT Singapore will be able to offer a suite of products and services that are tailor-made to appeal to customers. PLDT Singapore will of course be strongly supported by the excellent network and operational infrastructure provided by M1."
PLDT Global’s Mr Panlilio said : "PLDT Global and SMART will bring their respective strengths in addressing the growing communications needs of the offshore Filipino communities. We are confident that our mobile services in Singapore, with the value of the PLDT and SMART brands and its uniquely Filipino features, will be a perfect fit for our OFWs. Partnering with M1 definitely strengthens our position to provide excellent service as we will utilise M1’s infrastructure."

 About M1

M1, Singapore's most exciting and innovative mobile and IDD service provider, was launched in April 1997. Since then, it has made significant inroads into the local mobile communications market, gaining considerable brand presence and market share. M1 aims to be the leader in personal voice and data communications, focusing on value, quality and customer service. More information on M1 is available at www.m1.com.sg.

About PLDT 

PLDT is the leading telecommunications provider in the Philippines. Through its three principal business groups - fixed line, wireless and information communications technology - PLDT offers a wide range of telecommunications services across the Philippines' most extensive fiber optic backbone and fixed line, cellular and satellite network.

PLDT is listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE:TEL) and its American depositary shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE:PHI) and the Archipelago Exchange. PLDT has one of the largest market capitalizations among Philippine listed companies.

 About PLDT Singapore

PLDT Singapore is one of the regional operating arms of PLDT Global Corporation, the international sales and marketing arm of the PLDT Group of Companies and a wholly owned subsidiary of PLDT. It is a licensed Service-Based Operator (SBO) since 2001 offering long distance communication services to ethnic communities in Singapore, mainly the Filipino and South Asian markets. PLDT Global Corporation has other subsidiaries in Hong Kong, United Kingdom and United States.

 About SMART

Smart Communications, Inc. is the Philippines' leading wireless services provider with 20.8 million subscribers on its GSM network as of end-September 2005. Of the total subscriber base served, 15.8 million are under the brands Smart Buddy, Smart Gold, addict mobile, addict mobile prepaid, Smart Infinity, Smart Kid, Smart Kid Prepaid and Smart ACeS. The remaining 5 million are serviced through its subsidiary, Pilipino Telephone Corp., under the GSM brand Talk 'N Text. Since launching its GSM service in 1999, SMART has introduced world-first wireless data services, including mobile commerce services such as Smart Money, Smart Load and Smart Padala. SMART is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Philippines ' dominant telecommunications carrier, the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company.

Further information can be obtained by visiting the web at www.pldt.com.ph.