Friday, February 20, 2009

Green Mobile Award


Mobile Communications is one of few industries where the Philippines shines in the global arena. For the others, I can think of fashion (think Michelle Lhuillier) and entertainment (Lea Salonga) and even tourism (Boracay).

So I was particularly happy when I read about how Smart Communications, Inc. (SMART) won the very first GSMA Green Mobile Award for its alternative power for cell sites program. It seems that the company has already installed some 68 eco-friendly cell sites in remote or "off-grid" locations nationwide. I guess it makes sense to use renewable energy in remote locations where gensets and diesel plus hauling can be pretty expensive -- especially since our country is an archipelago. This is a business decision that paid off for the company -- not only in terms of savings but also in terms of reduction of carbon emission.

It may not have been an entirely green decision, but it's still laudable that the company is exploring green alternatives to provide communications in remote areas. Other companies focus on urban and populated areas for quick returns, forgetting entirely that communications is even more vital for hard-to-reach areas.

Congrats to SMART for its Green Mobile Award.

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