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Prepaid Data SIM Card Wiki
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== '''Smart Communications''' == [[File:Smart-0.jpg|thumb|220x220px|new logo]] Smart Communications by PLDT Inc, is one of the two leading providers in the Philippines with more than 70 million customers on its three brands Smart, Sun Cellular and Talk 'n Text. It was the first to start 4G/LTE in 2012 in Manila and expanded it now to other cities. According to Speedtest.net, 92.00% of Smart subscribers have 4G service during Q1-Q2 of 2023. For 4G/LTE Smart uses 700 MHz (28), 850 MHz (5), 1800 MHz (3) and 2100 MHz (1). Expected download speeds on Smart are somewhere between 27.2 Mbps ([https://www.opensignal.com/reports/2023/10/philippines/mobile-network-experience by Opensignal, October 2023]) and 35.56 Mbps ([https://www.speedtest.net/global-index/philippines#mobile by Speedtest, November 2023]) but these can get faster in larger cities. Although Talk 'n Text and Sun Cellular are under the Smart umbrella, this section focuses on the main SMART brand. Starting October 21st, the Sun Cellular brand (which had previously been a competitor of Smart with its own dedicated infrastructure) is being dissolved and customers are being migrated over to Smart. ==== '''Availability''' ==== [[File:Smart.jpg|thumb|220x220px|old logo]] Their usual prepaid SIM card is available practically at every street corner where you see their sign. Start-up price is around 40 Pesos with 300 MB and another 700 MB when you top-up at least β±30 within 3 days of activation. All new SIM cards include 5G now. Smart also offers a standard eSIM for β±99, which includes 2GB for 3 days. Activation or registration of an active SIM card can be done through the Smart GigaLife App, by visiting the [https://simreg.smart.com.ph/ registration website] (make sure your SIM card is in and connected to receive the one time pin (OTP)) or by visiting an official Smart store. Getting an eSIM is '''not recommended for iPads''' at the moment as the registration process requires access to SMS for activation codes. ==== '''Reloads''' ==== Recharges (loads) are available all over the Philippines on every street corner. They use an electronic reloading system in which the merchant uses a special SIM card (retailer's SIM card) or terminal to transfer/recharge credits (also known as e-load) into the subscriber's account. Minimum top-up value is β±15 plus a minimal fee of β±1-3 for the merchant. Top-up is available via the GigaLife app (you need to register your mobile phone number). At this time, foreign debit/credit cards are accepted and the minimum load that can be topped up here is β±50. You can either top up regular load or packages directly using this method. If you have Maya, GCash, or access to local banking apps (all of these available only to Philippine residents), you can also top up there. In addition, SMART offers Pasaload whereby SMART subscribers with a sufficient balance and/or qualifying plan (if postpaid) can transfer some of their credits to a prepaid SMART subscriber. They can also send packages/bundles to another SMART subscriber. To use Pasaload, subscribers simply text <cellphone number><space><package keyword> and send it to 808. As third party alternative payment portals to reload phone numbers you can refer to [https://swiftrecharge.com SwiftRecharge.com]. It is not cheap as domestic reloads but gives an options to reload any prepaid number from any part of the world. As payment methods the portal accepts any debit and credit cards along with crypto currencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum and USDT. Following Globe in 2018 Smart has announced that all prepaid loads will have a validity period of one year from now on. To check your balance text '?1515' to 214, enter 214# or *121#. ==== '''Data feature packages''' ==== These are the data packages that allow access to all websites: {| class="article-table" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="0" " |- ! '''Package''' !'''Price(in β±)''' !'''Duration(in days)''' ! '''Open-access data(in GB)''' !'''Calls(all-networks*)''' !'''SMS*''' ! Activation |- | All Data 50 |50 |3 | 2 |β |β | |- | All data 99 |99 |7 | 6 |β |β | |- | All data 299 |299 |30 | 24 |β |β | |- | All data 399 |399 |30 | 36 |β |β | |- |All data 499 |499 |30 |48 |β |β | |- | All Data+ 75 |75 |3 | 2 |β (unlimited) |β (unlimited) | |- | All Data+ 149 |149 |7 | 6 |β (unlimited) |β (unlimited) | |- | All Data+ 499 |499 |30 | 24 |β (unlimited) |β (unlimited) | |- | All Data+ 599 |599 |30 | 36 |β (unlimited) |β (unlimited) | |- |All Data+ 699 |699 |30 |48 |β (unlimited) |β (unlimited) | |- | Magic data 99 |99 |n/a | 2 |β |β | |- |Magic data 199 |199 |n/a |6 |β |β | |- |Magic data 399 |399 |n/a |24 |β |β | |- |Magic data 499 |499 |n/a |36 |β |β | |- |Magic data 599 |599 |n/a |48 |β |β | |} <nowiki>*</nowiki> "all-net" or "all networks" include calls to '''local mobile phones only'''; local landline calls are charged at the default per-minute rate. Included SMS includes those made to '''local 11-digit mobile phones only'''; SMS sent to special 3-5-digit numbers will be charged at the stated rate. Purchase of packages is done via the Smart (formerly GigaLife) or Maya app. You can either purchase these packages directly with a debit/credit card or linked Maya account or have it deducted from your existing main load balance. SMART also offers packages where access to selected apps/websites will be subject first to a separate allowance for a certain number of days (usually 1- 3 GB per day) from β±50. These are called GIGA packages. They come in different variants: * Giga Video - websites/apps for streaming (Youtube, iWant TFC, NBA League Pass, Cignal Play, Giga Play) * Giga k-video - dedicated allowance for Youtube and Viu * Giga Games - dedicated allowance for selected gaming apps * Giga Stories - dedicated allowance for Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok * Giga Music - dedicated allowance for Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube * Giga Study - dedicated allowance to Youtube, Canvas, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Teams, Google for Education, Neo * Giga Work - dedicated allowance to many productivity (G Suite, Microsoft Office 365), video conferencing (Webex, Google Meet), instant messaging apps (WhatsApp, Viber), and e-commerce (Grab, Lazada, Shopee, Lalamove, Maya) websites. Also available with unlimited all-net calls* and texts * Giga pro - same as the above but provides 3 GB per day for 7 days to the respective dedicated websites for β±199. * Giga Power - provides 2 GB of data per day for a certain period for all websites plus an extra amount of data to use anytime. * Giga Power+ - same as Giga Power but also includes all-net calls* and texts. * Double Giga - Provides 2 GB of data per day to Giga Video, Giga Stories, or Giga Games (depending on the user's choice) for the same price as the 1 GB of data per day to those same websites. ==== '''Mixed combo packages''' ==== SMART also offers bundles that are inclusive of some free minutes and texts. However, these free minutes labelled "all-net" may only be used to make calls to mobile phone numbers (i.e. those with a prefix of '''09'''). Currently there are no bundles that include free minutes to landlines, calls to which will be deducted from the main balance at regular per-minute rates. {| class="article-table" !Package !Data !Bonus !Voice !Texts !Price !Period |- |UCT 30 |100 MB | rowspan="4" | Free WhatsApp and FB Messenger | rowspan="4" | Unlimited on-net | rowspan="8" | Unlimited to all networks |β±30 |1 day |- |UCT 50 |300 MB |β±50 |3 days |- |UCT 100 |500 MB |β±100 |7 days |- |UCT 350 |1 GB |β±350 |30 days |- |All Out Surf 20 |150 MB | rowspan="4" | 100 MB for Facebook |20 mins on-net |β±20 |1 day |- |All Out Surf 30 |300 MB |30 mins on-net |β±30 |2 days |- |All Out Surf 50 |500 MB |50 mins on-net |β±50 |3 days |- |All Out Surf 99 |1 GB |100 mins on-net |β±99 |7 days |- |Giga 499 |8 GB | rowspan="6" |1 GB / day for YouTube, iflix, NBA, Cignal & iWant |<nowiki>-</nowiki> |<nowiki>-</nowiki> |β±499 |30 days |- |Giga+ 75 |1 GB | rowspan="5" | Unlimited on-net | rowspan="10" | Unlimited to all networks |β±75 |3 days |- |Giga+ 199 |2 GB |β±199 |7 days |- |Giga+ 449 |4 GB |β±449 |30 days |- |Giga+ 549 |6 GB |β±549 |30 days |- |Giga+ 649 |8 GB |β±649 |30 days |- |Giga All-IN 125 |1 GB | rowspan="5" | 1 GB / day for YouTube, iflix, NBA, Cignal & iWant + FB and Instagram | rowspan="5" |Unlimited to all networks |β±125 |3 days |- |Giga All-IN 249 |2 GB |β±249 |7 days |- |Giga All-IN 649 |4 GB |β±649 |30 days |- |Giga All-IN 749 |6 GB |β±749 |30 days |- |Giga All-IN 849 |8 GB |β±849 |30 days |} ==== '''SMART Bro and Data Card''' ==== SMART Bro is SMART's dedicated data-only service. Like the main SMART service, SMART Bro is available in a prepaid variant. The data-only packages outlined in the previous sections can also be availed on SMART Bro SIM cards. One can avail of the packages using the Smart and Maya app. To register your SMART Bro sim card on Giga, you need an existing SMART or Talk βN Text number linked to your Smart account. A one-time six-digit passcode confirmation will be sent to the SMART/Talk βN Text mobile number which you should enter on the Smart app when prompted. In addition to the packages outlined in the previous subsections, SMART Bro also offers several packages with unlimited data: Unlidata 599 and Unlifam 999. Both packages are valid for 30 days but the former is intended for individual use and has restrictions on what devices it may directly be attached to. You can also purchase a SMART Bro Rocket SIM which comes preloaded with one of these packages (usually available in shopping malls and SMART stores, please make sure you ask for the Smart Bro Rocket SIM). {| class="article-table" !Package !Validity !Price !Supoorted devices that SIM may be attached to directly !Maximum video resolution |- |Unlidata 599 |30 days |β±599 |Smartphones, pocket wifi devices |720p |- |Unlidata 999 |30 days |β±999 |Smartphones, pocket wifi devices, tablets, home mobile wifi modems |Ultra HD (4K) |} You can also the cheaper Unli 5G package. However, you need to be in an area with a strong 5G signal and be using a 5G-capable device with the 5G functionality enabled. Otherwise, any data usage on 3G and LTE will be charged to a separate allowance (see below). Take note that only selected areas have 5G coverage (most of NCR, parts of Cavite, Pampanga, Baguio City, Cebu, and Davao City). {| class="article-table" !Package !Validity !Price !Extra data if used in 3G- or LTE-only areas or when 5G is switched off |- |Unli 5G Data 299 |7 days |β±299 |3 GB |- |Unli 5G Data 599 |30 days |β±599 |12 GB |- |Unli 5G Data 799 |30 days |β±799 |24 GB |} From β±995, you can purchase an LTE Pocket WiFi gadget which you can insert your SMART Bro SIM into. This includes 10 GB of data to all websites. Managing the device and your SIM takes the form of connecting to that hotspot, opening a browser and typing the link stated in the manual. The SIM (or account) can also be managed using the Giga app. This LTE Pocket Wifi device is available at SMART Wireless Centres and leading electronic stores. You can also top up SMART Bro prepaid SIMs through other avenues where one can top-up the main SMART SIM cards including the Giga app; however, please specify that you wish to top up a SMART Bro account. === '''Overseas calling''' === The default calling rate is US$0.40 per minute (converted to prevailing β± rates) to major destinations (including most of Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, the US, Canada, most of Europe, Australia). However, users can purchase a special β±50 ''Sulit IDD'' from the SMART app to avail of lower per-minute rates to selected destinations. These are the rates one can expect to enjoy for selected destinations once this special load has been availed<ref>https://smart.com.ph/World/call-international/smart-idd-services/call-services/sulit-idd</ref>: {| class="fandom-table" |+ ! !'''Voice rate''' '''(in β± per minute)''' !'''SMS rate(in β±)''' |- |Australia |8.00 |8.00 |- |Bahrain |8.00 | |- |Brunei |5.00 |8.00 |- |Canada |2.50 |8.00 |- |China (Mainland) |5.00 |5.00 |- |Hong Kong |2.50 |8.00 |- |India |8.00 |8.00 |- |Indonesia |10.00 |8.00 |- |Italy |8.00 | |- |Japan |8.00 |8.00 |- |Malaysia |5.00 |8.00 |- |New Zealand |8.00 |8.00 |- |Qatar |10.00 |12.00 |- |Saudi Arabia |8.00 | |- |Singapore |5.00 |8.00 |- |South Korea |5.00 |8.00 |- |Taiwan |5.00 |8.00 |- |UAE |10.00 |12.00 |- |UK |8.00 | |- |US (including Guam and Hawaii) |2.50 |8.00 |} === '''Tourist SIM cards''' === For tourists Smart gives out a special Tourist SIM at major international airports in the country. The start-up packages cost more but give considerably more data. These all include 5G access and unlimited calls and SMS to regular mobile numbers. Once these packages expire or run out of data, you can reload regular packages later. However, these packages are '''not''' available away from the international airport, i.e. not even through SMART's app. {| class="article-table" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="0" " |- !'''Price(in β±)''' !'''Duration(in days)''' ! '''Open-access data(in GB)''' !'''Calls(all-networks*)''' !'''SMS*''' |- |1,550 |DATA: no-expiry CALLS/SMS: 60 days | 72 |β (unlimited) |β (unlimited) |- |1,050 |30 | 73 |β (unlimited) |β (unlimited) |- |1,550 |30 | 122 |β (unlimited) |β (unlimited) |- |1,550 |30 | 144 |β |β |- |2,050 |30 | 192 |β |β |- |2,550 |30 | 240 |β |β |- |3,050 |30 | 288 |β |β |- |3,550 |30 |336 |β |β |} === '''Roaming''' === You must have a minimum of β±100 to use the Roaming service and must obviously have much more to purchase your preferred package. Text ROAM<space>ON to 333 to activate it ''before'' you leave the Philippines. For prepaid users, voice calls are only included in selected countries. Once you are in your destination, enable mobile data and log on to roam.smart.com.ph to choose the appropriate package. The different TIERs refer to the countries that are subject to a certain price to avail of a certain package. For purposes of pricing, TIER 1 includes most Southeast Asian countries. All packs below are valid for 24 hours: {| class="article-table" !Package !Included Apps !Data !TIER 1 !TIER 2 !TIER 3 |- |Roam Chat | rowspan="2" |Viber, Line, WeChat, WhatsApp and Telegram |100 MB | colspan="3" |β±150 |- |Roam Chat Plus |200 MB | colspan="3" |β±250 |- |Roam Facebook 150 | rowspan="2" |Facebook, FB Messenger |100 MB | colspan="3" |β±150 |- |Roam Facebook 250 |200 MB | colspan="3" |β±250 |- |Roam Social 150 | rowspan="2" |Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat |100 MB | colspan="3" |β±150 |- |Roam Social 250 |200 MB | colspan="3" |β±250 |- |Roam Lite 150 | rowspan="5" |All websites and apps |100 MB | colspan="3" |β±150 |- |Roam Lite 250 |200 MB | colspan="3" |β±250 |- |Roam Surf |500 MB | colspan="3" |β±550 |- |Roam In-Flight |500 MB | colspan="3" |β±550 |- |GIGA Roam |1 GB |β±999 |β±1499 |β±1999 |} Alternatively, Smart provides complimentary 100 MB for its subscribers roaming in selected countries access to an app called RoamFree, a portal for accessing essential travel apps such as Uber, Booking.com, and TripAdvisor. Subscribers should click on roam.smart.com.ph and select ''RoamFree'' under the ''Data Pack'' tab and tap the ''Activate'' button. ==== '''More info''' ==== * Download their "GigaLife" app * Tethering and VoIP are allowed * Unlike Globe, they don't mangle your traffic, i.e. use no transparent proxies ([http://netalyzr.icsi.berkeley.edu/restore/id=369839a0-32305-a6eba8f0-0181-40d1-af39/rd report], which also shows excessive buffering). * APN: LTE /or/ internet * Website: http://smart.com.ph
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