Philippine Telco Smart Honored at 2011 Connected World Forum

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, November 05, 2011 --(PR.com)-- Smart Money, the pioneering mobile commerce platform of wireless leader Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) was awarded Best Operator-led Mobile Money Program at the recent Mobile Money Global Awards held in Dubai this week.

Smart was the only Philippine telco to be nominated and awarded during the 2011 Connected World Forum. The Best Operator-led Mobile Money Program Award is accorded to the Mobile Money Transfer (MMT) service of a mobile operator which demonstrates exceptional subscription and usage rates, customer reach and ease of service.

Smart was chosen over three competing operators in the same category namely Digicel Pacific, Turkcell and the Vodafone Group. The four finalists bested hundreds of entries submitted by operators from all over the world. The wireless subsidiary of PLDT was also a finalist in the Best Bank-led Mobile Money Program Category. "This is a great honor for Smart and the Philippines," said Orlando B. Vea, Smart Chief Wireless Advisor. "We thank all our local and international partners who have helped us mark milestones in the mobile money landscape. This inspires us to further expand our mobile money business to help our country move forward," Vea added.

Launched in 2000, Smart is the world's first reloadable electronic payment card linked to a mobile phone issued by BDO Unibank, Inc. (BDO) in the Philippines. A trusted enabler of partners here and abroad, Smart Money has established linkages with the leading banks of the Philippines, the country's primary ATM consortia, local and international remittance companies, and millions of MasterCard partner merchants worldwide.

"This award highlights the huge potential of mobile commerce and strengthens our commitment to provide affordable, accessible and relevant mobile money services. Just like our advocacy to bring mobile phones and the internet within the reach of every Filipino, we are motivated all the more to make mobile commerce for all as well," Vea concluded.

The Mobile Money Global Awards is part of the ongoing Connected World Forum in Dubai which gathers the world's leading mobile experts. Now on its 2nd year, the Mobile Money Global Awards recognizes mobile money pioneers, practitioners, and stakeholders who have made significant contributions to the growth of the mobile money industry.

About Smart Money: Smart Money is the world's first reloadable electronic payment card linked to a mobile phone. It combines the strength of Smart's mobile commerce services and MasterCard's wide merchant acceptance network, enabling consumers to enjoy a wide array of goods and services. There are currently 8.5 million account holders of Smart Money who enjoy the benefits of peer-to-peer mobile money transfers, bills payment, and prepaid airtime top-ups using one of the most ubiquitous gadgets today-the mobile phone.

The pioneering Smart Money platform has been accorded a 2010 Ambassador Alfredo M. Yao National Intellectual Property (IP) Award. Smart Money also won the 2001 3GSM Award for "Most Innovative GSM Wireless Service for Customers, and 2009 Asia Mobile Awards for the "Best Mobile Money Service" and "Best Mobile Money for the Unbanked" categories. It was also cited as the "Best Product Innovation" award at the MasterCard Awards in Australia.

###