3G has been in the Philippines for more than a year now (my first articles on 3G in the Philippines date back to January 2006).
All this time, I still am waiting for a compelling 3G service. A service that goes beyond just entertainment and novelty. A service that truly addresses real-world needs of Filipinos.
Today, Smart telecom published ads of services packaged as “C Me”.
First off is Find-a-Friend. Register for the service, record your 30-second Video profile and let people search the database and view your video. It’s like Friendster on video in your phone. Rate: P6.50 per minute
Second is Speed-Dating. This one has more “da-ting” (“arrive”) to me. Users sign up for the service. Then the services arranges for a 3G video speed-date for 6 people (3 guys, 3 girls). You get an alert 15 mins before the date, just enough time to make yourself pogi and ganda. Then each of the 3 girls will be paired up with the 3 guys for 90 seconds to (3G-video) talk to each date. Rate: P60/session; P6.50/minute
I like the speed-dating idea. It’s … creative. It’s sophisticated, and it pushes the limits of the technology (and our imagination).
Although neither of the above service are compelling to me (i.e. addresses a concrete need, solves a pressing problem), it’s has the elements of creativity that are important in coming up with more sophisticated services.
C Smart’s 3G services on their website.
ka edong
cc me
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I’ve been conducting some research and had come to the same conclusion…. until i saw this service.
It lets you meet with a Doctor right now on your videophone.
Here’s the link http://www.3gdoctor.com
Sounds good! Telemedicine.
For Philippine setting, could work well for remote areas with very low access to medical services.
Don’t think the service will pick-up for middle/upper-class … they will prefer walking/driving to a nearby doctor.
Amazing that you have that perspective – i assumed it was a service for the more affluent.
I was thinking that wealthier people would like the convenience factor especially if they are working long and stressful hours or maybe travelling away from home.
Do the 3G networks in the philippines cover the remote areas yet?
Good question.
In the first half year that 3G was deployed in the Philippines (circa Jan 2006), it was available only in the main cities in the Phils.
I don’t have info on how much furhter they’ve improved reach of 3G.
Edwin
as far as i know, smart has more 3G coverage than globe. smart reaches 3G coverage to remote areas because of it’s SmartBro, wireless broadband internet. It uses the 3G signal of smart.