TNT is now the biggest prepaid brand in the Philippines, with over 40 million subscribers, besting competitors in the third quarter of 2020.
TNT’s growth was driven largely by an increase in data users among its subscribers and an increase in LTE SIM and LTE device users. Market research has shown TNT to be the strongest telco brand in the market today – enjoying significant growth in the prepaid category, and looking to dominate by the end of 2020.
“Our commitment to our customers enables us to meet the highest-ever demand for mobile data. TNT is starting the way forward, as many Filipinos continue to rely on the brand for budget-friendly ways to stay connected especially online,” said Alfredo S. Panlilio, Smart Communications, Inc.’s President and CEO and PLDT Chief Revenue Officer.
Milestones in 2020
TNT also reached other milestones this year. In March, the brand, along with Smart, introduced Free Stories For All, which gave subscribers an extra 1 GB data for Facebook, Instagram and Tiktok, with every registration to GIGA Stories.
In April, TNT introduced Popstar Royalty Sarah Geronimo as its newest endorser, and, in May, TNT celebrated its 20th anniversary with the Big Bente ‘Balik Load’ Promo, which gave subscribers a 20% load rebate on TNT GIGA promos.
To help students cope with the demands of distance learning, TNT and Smart launched GIGA Study, which gives subscribers data to access learning tools like Google Suite and Microsoft 365 plus open access data in August. The prepaid brand also launched Free Games For All, which offers 2 GB data per day to enjoy mobile games like Mobile Legends, Clash of Clans, Arena of Valor, Clash Royale, and Call of Duty: Mobile in the following month.
In October, TNT launched its ‘Nasa Saya ‘Yan’ campaign to inspire the Filipino youth and motivate them as they face life’s challenges. This campaign reinforces what young people know: that life is wrought with challenges but every person can influence the direction of their destiny — that one can do anything with the right attitude.
“We always find different ways to address our customers’ needs, to serve them, and to keep them happy. Our subscribers depend on our services more than ever, whether for work, school, livelihood, or even in the face of calamities. We hope that through our simplified offers we can help them access online platforms and games that bring them hope, comfort, and joy, especially during these trying times,” said Jane J. Basas, Smart Communications, Inc.’s Senior Vice President and Head of Wireless Consumer Business.
Enabling these services are PLDT-Smart’s integrated fixed and wireless networks. As of September 2020, Smart had increased the number of its LTE base stations by 17%, compared to end-2019. Smart’s mobile service is supported by PLDT’s fiber infrastructure, the most extensive in the country at 395,000 kilometers, up by 22% from end-2019. To date, 96% of the Philippine population is now covered by Smart’s mobile data networks.
TNT is powered by Smart LTE, the country’s fastest mobile data network as certified by third-party mobile internet analytics firms, such as Ookla, Opensignal, and umlaut.
The PLDT Group’s investments in capital expenditures have totaled Php 432 billion from 2011 to September 2020. PLDT’s expansion efforts and investments helped the Group cope with sustained growth in data traffic when COVID-19 community quarantines commenced in March. PLDT is anticipating capex of at least P70 billion for 2020.
