Globe, Google Join Forces to Offer Filipinos Free Internet Access on Android Phones

Globe customers purchasing Cherry Mobile Uno and MyPhone One to get free over the air updates and app downloads

Globe Telecom joined forces with internet giant Google to further boost smartphone and internet penetration in the Philippines with the launch of Android One, a portfolio of innovative, affordable and quality smartphone devices running on Lollipop, the latest Android 5.1 software.

Globe customers purchasing the latest Android One devices such as Cherry Mobile Uno and MyPhone One will get free 100MB of mobile data connectivity per month for six (6) months. Aside from using mobile data to access the internet on their phones, it will also help ensure their devices automatically update to the latest version of Android. This means devices running on Android One will have the most up-to-date version of Android as it becomes available.

Customers will also be able to download select apps from Google Play Store for free up to 200MB of mobile data per month for 6 months. The exclusive offer adds to an existing Globe promo, which allows new customers availing of any Cherry Mobile handsets to get free 150 MB of data per month for 1 year for as long as they load at least P100/per month while new customers of MyPhone units will get 100 MB/month for 1 year.

“Over the years, Globe has been purveyor of the digital lifestyle by extending free access to the internet on the back of its partnerships with global brands such as Google, Facebook, and Viber. As the leading digital service provider in the country, we want the continuing shift to a digital lifestyle to be more inclusive by providing free internet on superior but reasonably-priced devices. We are confident this initiative will get more Filipinos to embrace the smartphone and data revolution,” Globe Senior Vice President for Consumer Mobile Marketing Issa Cabreira said.

While smartphone and other mobile devices are increasingly becoming more affordable, the experience in some of the entry-level phones may not be as seamless, as their operating system has limited or no access to the latest software updates and apps. As Android One’s operating system is always up to date, it promises to give a faster and smoother smartphone experience for the customers.

“Data connections have been a serious barrier to getting the internet into more people’s hands. We are thrilled about the commitment of Globe to reduce costs on app updates and downloads for people with Android One phones — a key step to making extraordinary smartphone technology more accessible and affordable,” said Caesar Sengupta, Google Vice President for Product Management.

Globe Telecom’s collaboration with Google, Cherry Mobile and MyPhone runs parallel with the company’s continuing upgrade of its mobile data infrastructure for a more robust and resilient network. The company is currently aggressively rolling out LTE technologies for fast and reliable data connectivity and more pervasive LTE coverage.