PLDT, Smart to deal with users’ concerns via ‘virtual meeting’

PLDT, Inc. and its wireless arm Smart Communications, Inc. are launching a virtual meeting service for their customers to accommodate their queries or concerns, as the public health crisis continues.

“Beginning on November 16, 2020, Smart subscribers can visit stay.smart” to book a virtual appointment with their preferred retail outlet,” PLDT and Smart said in a joint statement at the weekend.

PLDT customers can visit pldthome.com to schedule a virtual appointment, they added.

The telcos also said their customers will receive an MS Teams meeting link via their e-mails, which they can open on their browsers or through the MS Teams app.

Both PLDT and Smart are also launching a booking service for in-store visits, especially for concerns or services that require a personal appearance.

“This would allow them and an assigned PLDT-Smart store frontliner to meet safely in the store premises, following strict health guidelines set by the government and the company,” the companies said.

PLDT and Smart said further they would make available their online appointment service on their official social media pages.

Alex O. Caeg, senior vice president and head of consumer sales group at PLDT and Smart, said: “With this online booking system, we hope to give them a more convenient experience whenever they need to do business with our stores nationwide. We would also like to encourage them to shift to digital transactions in the safety of their homes, especially during a time when people should practice physical distancing in the pandemic.”

“This is part of… PLDT’s efforts to ramp up its digital services, help in the recovery of the economy, and at the same time, promote the health and safety of employees and customers as we navigate the next normal,” Mr. Caeg added.

PLDT saw its attributable net income for the third quarter surge 95% to P7.41 billion versus the P3.79 billion it generated in the same period last year.

The company attributed its growth for the quarter to the spike in customer demand for digital or online services triggered by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

PLDT saw a 10% increase in its total revenues to P46.49 billion. The company’s service revenues grew 9% to P44.37 billion while its non-service revenues increased 18% to P2.12 billion.

Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has a majority stake in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Arjay L. Balinbin