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THE PHILIPPINES, FEBRUARY 28, 2012: In an effort to promote open standard web technologies and make seamless interoperability of mobile software, digital products, and services possible, sixteen of the world’s largest mobile service providers banded to form the Wholesale Applications Community (WAC), including the Philippines’ Smart Communications Inc.
Formed in 2010, WAC aims to address the needs and concerns of a fragmented mobile market through developing applications that can be used across multiple (or all) phone models and operating systems. Presently, members include AT&T, China Mobile, Deutsche Telekom. GSMA, KT, NTT Docomo, Orange, SK Telecom, Softbank Mobile, Telekom Austria, Telecom Italia, Telefonica, Telenor Group, Verizon, and Vodafone.
To date, Smart has participated in a number of WAC efforts and endeavors, such as network testing, software development, and service deployment. “WAC is absolutely delighted that Smart is the first operator in the world to on-board for the WAC NAPI project,” said WAC CEO Peters Suh. “We applaud you on demonstrating the leadership, perseverance, and creativeness needed to bring this project to fruition,” he added.
Among the first applications developed and completed locally is Chikka TopApp. First released in October 2011, Chika TopApp is an Android global “mobile airtime credits sharing” (colloquially referred to as Pasa-Load) application. It also features in-app operator billing, which allows software developers to bill the users directly through a deduction from the sender’s load wallet of charged to the postpaid account, without the need to connect separately to the billing systems of other WAC members. This is possible WAC’s Network Application Programming Interface or NAPI.
Three other WAC-NAPI applications from local developers – Shoephoric by Shoephoric.com, FHM Philippines Mobile by Hand Interactive, and iCare by Oks Pinoy – debuted at the Mobile World Conference in Barcelona, Spain, as demonstrated by Smart to the audiences.
Shoephoric is an online “shoe organizer” and online forum for shoe fanatics. The most unique feature of Shoephoric, however, is a shoe wish list and have friends contribute small amounts to the cost of the dream shoes.
FHM Philippines Mobile brings the country’s most popular magazine to mobile devices, including never-before published photos and other exclusive content. Subscribers can also browse through issues as far back as 2000.
Meanwhile, iCare is a virtual donations pool – it enables users around the world to make donations to the Philippine Red Cross and other non-profit organizations using their airtime credits, any time, anywhere.
“These applications are very global, yet very Pinoy,” said Smart Communications’ public affairs group head Ramon Isberto. “Who will donate to the victims of natural calamities here in the Philippines? Who are most likely to contribute for you to buy your dream shoes? Most likely, your friends, loved ones,” he elaborated. Isberto also cited the expansion possibilities of these applications. Shoephoric’s model, for example, could also be used for bags, gadgets, and other items, while iCare can cater to charities and other organizations.
“We are making it possible for all WAC-accredited application developers to reach out to more potential customers,” said Napoleon Nazareno, Smart Communications’ president and member of the WAC board. “We would like to specifically help and enable Filipino application developers to tap into this huge potential market and we hope to see many of them reach global stature,” he said.
For more information about Smart and WAC, visit www.smart.com.ph or www.wacapps.net
