Smart
Communications Inc. cited yesterday a study conducted by social-media
monitor Semiocast, which analyzed 517 million Twitter profiles. It said
the Philippines now has around 9.5 million registered Twitter users. The
country trails Spain and is one step ahead of Turkey.
At
the height of Tuesday’s intense rain and flooding all over the country,
hundreds of thousands of Filipinos trooped to Twitter to spread
critical flood information, as well as to mobilize rescue-and-relief
operations.
“Even
as the torrential rains rendered several families stranded and
helpless, with flooded homes and without electricity, we saw how people
found their mobile phones—and mobile Internet—especially useful to stay
connected, tweeting for help for loved ones stuck elsewhere, and even
for complete strangers trapped on their rooftops,” said Smart chief
wireless advisor Orlando Vea. Filipinos have always been active in
social media and as a result many are using mobile phones with Internet
capability.
Officially
dubbed the “social-media capital of the world” in 2011, the Philippines
is estimated to have around 93.9 percent of its 40 million Internet
population on Facebook. It surpassed more progressive countries in large
part because of the affordability of gadgets and the accessibility of
Internet services made available by Philippine telcos.
Vea said Smart offers the most number of Android devices in the country, ranging from entry-level smartphones to top-tier offerings.
Vea said Smart offers the most number of Android devices in the country, ranging from entry-level smartphones to top-tier offerings.
“What
good is having an expensive smartphone if you can’t use it properly and
when it is most needed? With a strong and resilient network like Smart,
you’re sure to receive every tweet, every update, and you can rely on
your network not dying out on you when you need connectivity the most,”
said Vea.
In its own way, Smart has also been very active in social-media sites.
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