Smart bought Digitel (Sun Cellular) shares

Philippines
March 31, 2011 12:22pm CST
It was all over the news in the Philippines: One of the biggest telecom company, PLDT, who owns SMART Comm., bought shares of DIGITEL, who owns a competitor network named Sun Cellular. Sun is known for its cheapest rates for unlimited call and text services that broke the "monopoly" of mobile texting services in the Philippines. What do you think is the impact of this alleged buying of shares? Do you really think the end days of cheap unlimited services comes to an end?
8 responses
@cheravs (619)
• Philippines
1 Apr 11
As long that there is globe they can't consider this thing as monopoly yet. There is rumors that pldt acquire the digitel to get rid of the unlimited. Oh well, if you are a globe subscriber there is also unlimited with them but not really like sun's(digitel) offers. The SEC is also investigating this thing to make sure there is no short cut or irregularities involve during the so sudden acquisition.
• Philippines
2 Apr 11
well, in my humble opinion, Globe is too costly.
@katrinapaz (2436)
• Philippines
1 Apr 11
hello ms patricia! I am a sun prepaid customer and was shocked because of this news. I have left smart cellular years ago because they always seem to get my load when i have not used it yet. They also have very poor customer service. I hope this will not affect suncellular which has very good offers.
• Philippines
2 Apr 11
I am a fan of Sun too! My current internet provider is Sun Cellular. The company serves good offers. What I fear is the fact the Smart Telecom is only after the money of subscribers --- a big greedy shark.
@junrapmian (2169)
• Philippines
1 Apr 11
So I heard. I don't know what will be the effect of this merger but I hope that it's for the good of all the subscribers.
• Philippines
2 Apr 11
hi! i am also hoping it'll be for the better. however, knowing WHAT Smart Telecom can do...i am in fear :(
@narnia007 (1050)
• India
2 Apr 11
I am not much aware of the benefits that SUN networks gives in phillipines.But the common trend among companies is,when they buy shares of other companies,they try to improve their services and attract more customers.SO on the brighter side,you guys may get lower call pricers and may be even free texting.Just hope for the best.Happy mylotting.
@xannex (254)
• Philippines
31 Mar 11
I think we will benefit from these. We might wxperience unlimited texting from smart, tnt, sun, and/or red. And then because of quadruple power compared to globe, globe might bring out new promos which ofcourse will benefit us again since their promos wil be about competition with smart and retention of their subscribers. I read recently that Sun had promised to keep their very affordable services even after the merger so their's no cons about it. Plus the coverage for these 4 networks will now share with each others satelites that'll give more network signal to us users.
• Philippines
2 Apr 11
doesn't it sound that there'll be mobile network monopoly again? but i hope smart will continue what suncellular started, without changing prices or what. my internet provider is Sun Cellular, so I am really worried.
1 Apr 11
I read from the news yesterday (or was it today) that this merger won't dissolve Sun Cellular's unlimited call and text promos. I wonder more on what will happen to the other networks under Smart (like Talk N Text, Red Mobile). It's pretty interesting how things would work out. It's a win-win situation for customers since Globe will most likely be on their toes and step up to beat the competition.
@neildc (17239)
• Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines
1 Apr 11
I heard it from the news last night. Actually, I have no idea what will happen next. I am kinda excited but afraid that my favorite Sun could be affected, Sorts like unlimited text, call and even free FB usage. By the way, I searched for this topic and found nothing using the merger or telecommunication or mobile merger and found nothing. So I started my own discussion. I just hope the admin won't delete for similarity.
• Philippines
1 Apr 11
we are one of the avid subscribers of sun cellular. me and my husband started using it 2 years ago (if im not mistaken) since we knew about their promo of Text Unlimited P150 that is good for 1 month! unlimited texts plus 180 mins of free calls, thats 3 hours call free! and we are also 'alarmed' by the news. but yesterday we heard from the news that eventhough the pldt buy shares of digitel which is sun cellular, they say that the promos and services of sun cellular will continue and that they will improve it more. hope they dont lie about it =]