There was an article yesterday on the Inquirer about Smart Communications’ inauguration of Smart Click – an Internet-shop-in-a-box (more precisely, container vans). These Internet shops will cater to the most remote barrios in the country. They started off with Basco, Batanes and will be installing more in Aurora, Tarlac, Laguna, Zamboanga, Palawan and more.
Some thoughts …
Glad to see the idea come true
I was a respondent of a survey about this project back in mid-2005. The survey was still about branding and image. The name they were playing around with back then was something like “Internet Van” or “Internet Truck”. From the limited info I had, I thought it was going to be a mobile Internet Van that would move from one venue to the other. I thought it was going to be a showcase of Smart WiFi, a roadshow. Turns out it’s more than that.
Smart Click – Internet & more
The Smart Click vans offer the same services as your regular neighborhood internet shop. From the print ad, the services are: “Internet browsing, e-mail, chat, webcam, online and network games, typing, scanning, photo and document printing, desktop publishing, CD burning, PLDT/Smart Services and more!”
The difference is their location and the technology behind Smart Click. Smart Click uses Smart WiFi for their Internet connection. Thus, they will be able to setup Smart Click vans in almost any part of the country that has a Smart cellsite; that is, almost every corner of our archipelago.
Business model
I would think that this is mostly a PR thing for Smart. That they would go through all these just so that they can earn some pogi points. A little community service, some corporate social responsibility.
But it looks like they’re rolling-out this project on a commercial basis. Smart Click is open for franchise operators! (e-mail smartclick@smart.com.ph or call *777 from a smart cellphone or (02) 511-2643).
I sure hope the business model is truly viable. My measure of a real business model: real cash-out by the franchise operators, and real cash-recouped by the franchise operators within 12-18 months.
Why my emphasis or “real”? It’s possible that Smart will just “donate” these vans to communities. If they do so, my guess is the franchise operators won’t maximize the use of the Internet shops.
To be continued tomorrow: Community e-Centers, content and services, feedback and more …
Read also: Smart WiFi in Batanes, Smart WiFi in Barrio Napag-iwanan
ka edong
brain-outside-da-box
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“The shops will provide the common internet shop services such as web surfing, chat, printing, network games etc..”
is it just me, or are we looking forward to a bunch of probinsyanos spending their precious time just chatting and network gaming..? [ more ]
wrencelot,
Playing solitaire, playing ragnarok, chatting with friends — these are all part of the learning. That’s where the amazement for the PD/Internet is fed. What is important is that these newbies are given more relevant tools to move on to.
For what it’s worth, we actually placed KDE games (solitaire, et al) in our training labs to familiarize the participants in handling the mouse.
Going back on topic: Smart Click will be better off as engaging in “corporate responsibility” -type of projects. The Open Academy sure could use this (and I think there have been prior negotiations to this end).
Right on, dexter!
One of my thoughts last night was: How about iandexter download some of their farmer apps unto Smart Click. Make them your delivery channel. At the same time, Smart Click becomes more relevant to their market.
Why do you think Smart Click should stick to “corporate responsibility”?
I don’t know the level of talks between Smart and the Open Academy, but I think one of the areas where Smart Click will, er, click is in providing internet access in our sites.
I haven’t seen the figures, though, but Smart will indeed be better off doing partnerships with GOs, POs, NGOs. These will all translate to Smart WiFi adoption in the countryside (that is, if that’s what they’re after).
ka dex,
Smart Wifi adoption in the countryside? I seriously think they have many more things to fix in their backyard (the urban centers).
I think the main agenda is: Pogi points.
Second agenda is: Public Service
Third agenda is: a boost for their entrepreneurship initiatives
ka edong
actually, my brother had internet cafes in the provinces… at the end of the day, people (read: kids) get addicted to network games at the expense of their school work.
the cafes promoted truency too.
my brother’s aim initially was to provide printing, surfing and network games. then the network games took over.
Tsk tsk. That’s the fear of many parents when it comes to their kids’ internet usage.
Hwag lang ma-unahan ng takot. At hwag lang ma-lulong sa bisyo. Then there’ll be more to be discovered about the Net …
Well, that could be good, but think about the other choices we’ve got here? Would you mind making a further article about them also? Cheers!