SOCIAL networking platform provider, Twitter Inc., announced on Wednesday it has inked a deal with Globe Telecom Inc. and Smart Communications Inc. to dish out infotainment to local consumers.
According to Tina Pang, head of sales for Twitter Southeast Asia, the agreement with the two competing telecommunications companies was based on the firm’s view that “the Philippines is one of our fastest growing markets today”.
“And this is not just about the numbers [of Filipino Twitter users],” Pang said during the Philippine launch of “Twitter Lite”, a version of Twitter sans the bells and whistles.
“Twitter Lite provides users a faster, data-friendly, and more accessible mobile web experience, which allows them to stay informed on the happenings of their favorite Filipino celebrities and idols,” a statement dished out by Twitter said.
Dwi Adriansah, head of business development for Twitter Southeast Asia and Australia, told reporters the decision to emphasize infotainment was based on the firm’s view that they “see a lot of people flocking and discovering information about [celebrities and] local entertainment here in the Philippines”.
The launch of Twitter Lite came two months after the online news and social networking service provider said in April its first quarter revenue decreased 8-percent year-over-year (YoY). Twitter said in its letter to shareholders its advertising revenue totaled $474 million, a decrease of 11-percent YoY.
Apparently the offering of a “lighter” Twitter brought good news to telcos.
Globe Telecom’s Prepaid Brand Director Pauline Yambao said they expect the firm’s customers to spend more time connected on the telco’s line.
“Our customers can now follow more, tweet more, and engage more without having to worry about [data] consumption so much.” Yambao added.
First launched in India two months ago, Twitter Lite allows up to 70 percent data saving and 30 percent faster launch time, offers offline support, and takes up less than 1 megabyte memory on mobile devices.