Gadgets

Smart launches Plug ‘n Talk Service

Abe Olandres Editor-in-chief December 14, 2008 · 1 min read

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Smart introduced the other day this mobile-in-a-USB product called Plug ‘n Talk. It’s basically targeted to OFWs which allows them to call and text from a PC abroad to any cellphone or landline number in the Philippines.

The rates looks the same as your regular mobile rates in the country except that incoming calls and SMS are free which some might find attractive.

smart plug n talk

Calling to a Smart mobile number costs Php7.50/min, Php8.50 to a landline and other networks. sending text messages to Smart costs Php1.00 and Php2.00 to other networks and landline.

The gadget is a USB device included in the kit that costs Php1,800 and comes with a Smart Pinoy SIM as well as an earphone with mic.

Again, it stresses that incoming calls and text messages are free so this service is obviously for people on international roaming. More about this on their FAQ page here.

I’m not familiar with the existing services but if our OFW readers here can share their opinion and compare their current service to this one, it would be helpful to others as well.

Disclosure: Smart is an advertiser on this blog and several other blogs I author.

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Abe Olandres

Editor-in-chief

Abe is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of YugaTech with over 20 years of experience in the technology industry. He is one of the pioneers of blogging in the country and is considered by many as the Father of Tech Blogging in the Philippines.

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96 Comments

Jesa · 15 years ago

Hi Po,i just want to ask if the Plug N’ Talk po ba ay pwede magamit d2 sa Japan?Let me know pls??Thanks

franciz · 15 years ago

know where i can buy 1? im here in japan.or any idea how to avail?

Camela · 16 years ago

My mother is in isarel and communictaions for us took a lot of expense. I’m looking something cheaper and able to connect us anytime we want. if I’m going to buy that Smart plug and talk for my mother is it ready for her to use that? Does she needs to register for something just like using roaming sim card.how can i avail that and accessible for me to buy. i’m working here in makati along pasong tamo extension. What was the latest price

Euthor · 16 years ago

I never even heard of this product from smart. No ads on tv, flyers or billboards.

Rick · 16 years ago

be careful about this unit. very unreliable. the second unit i bought last only for 3 months while the first one was also the same.
i sent an email to the customer support but no response.
most of the problems seems software and there is no online support to solve the issue.
the unit is supposed to be used while the pinoys are abroad but how could you return the unit if found defective when you are abroad.

Dman · 16 years ago

I live in USA but I call many people in the Philippines who use Smart Cell phones. 9 out of 10 calls drop. The service is the worst I have ever heard or seen. I have traveled and called all over the world, and Smart Phone is the WORST i have ever encountered. That company needs to be put out of business until they can provide better service. All of the other reviews i Have seen online about them saying it is a good service, are probably written by there own company employees. If this service was in the USA they would have gone out of business so fast for providing lousy service. Save yourself aggravation and don’t use there service. They really suck!!

neil · 17 years ago

smart plug n talk is working anywhere in the world. i’ve been using it for almost a year now. piso ang text from abroad to phils, 6.50 ang call from abroad to phils. pwede makarecv ng unli text at unli calls from the phils. saan ka pa ba mas makakasulit? di naman po ako nag promote ng smart pero so far, ito ang pinaka accessible at murang paraan para makapag communicate tayo sa mga mahal natin sa buhay sa pinas.
YM at skype pwede lang kapag me PC ang kausap. free text sa YM pero kelangang mag reply ang ka text na cp sa YM but costs 2.50 pesos per text.
chikka, limited up to 30 text per day sa globe, 20 text per day sa smart at 30 text per day sa sun.
fring, cp to cp voip pero kelangan me fring account din ang kausap mo sa pinas.
now guys, weigh down these pros and cons and you shall be the judge asto what mode of comm is the best for us OFWs….

Jesa · 15 years ago

Tama ka po..na try ko na lahat ng sinabi nyo..and as ive heard sa tingin ko mura yung Plug N’ Talk..Ask ko lang pO hanggang nagyon po ba nag wowork pa ang Plug N’ Talk dito sa Japan?gusto ko sanang bumili kaso baka hindi na po pwede..let me know po,pls?

bob ong · 17 years ago

update lng po.this is an efficient calling device in countries where internet and ISPs are not restrictive like in UAE.pls.take note that this VOIP from SMART is a direct competition for all local telcos,anywhere in the world.why? kc you are using a foreign telco(smart/pldt),conducting telecom business in a foreign land without tariffs and duties(all revenues sa smart yan)and walla!you are a guilty party to it!hehehehe,ngayon m lang na deduce yan? anyways kung san mas mura at libre dun tayo di ga kabayan;and thanks nga pala sa smart kc my promos cla like all text and all calls unlimited!! pwede sa plug n text.un lang sa customer service, bigyan nio palagi ng access sa promo nio ha, kami mga OFW.basta detected ng system na plug n talk ang ng access sa abroad yan!!timang na lang yun nagamit nito sa pinas mismo,di ga kabayang SMART CUSTOMER SERVICE??

DAVEJAMES · 17 years ago

TO ALL SMART PLUG N TALK IS NOT WORKING IN MIDDLE EAST COUNTRY SO I ADVISE ALL EXPAT DONT BUY IT IF YOU ARE BOUND TO GCC CONTRY IT IS JUST AWASTE OF MONEY INSTEAD BUY A GLOBE FAMILY SIM CARD ITS CHEAPER AND RELIABLE /………………

Dan · 17 years ago

Texting is really the strength of the plug n talk. I have it on my office pc. Looks like i am doing work when I am actually sending some texts. Going to buy a second one for my home PC. Where can I buy one in the US? This site http://www.sendloadtothephilippines.com/smart/smart-plug-n-talk/ recommends some sites online but I was hoping to just pick one up in a store.

Pete · 17 years ago

Wag makinig kay Margo at Jay. Taga-Globe ‘yan!!!

Margo · 17 years ago

my plug n’ talk is a waste of money..do not buy this! i bought one & brought it here in the states so i can use it while im on vacation..eventhough my laptop is top of the line & dsl connection is fast..the first time i used it the voice was so slow..there was a long lag..i emailed smart about it and they asked me around 20 questions regarding technical stuffs about my comp n connection. the reason i bought this because they said u just plug then automatically u can use it..now they are asking me about technical stuffs..im not that techie…2ndly, they said there will be an initial load..i did not received any..3rdly, i inquired at their smart center before i left on how to use it & how to load, no one from their customer service knows how to use plug n talk… and lastly now i tried using it again, now the loading box appears but after a while closes without the dial pad appearing so in short I was not able to use it again..i tried using it on 3 different laptops..the dialpad still never launches by itself. BE WARNED PLUG N” TALK IS A WASTE OF MONEY…DO NOT BUY IT!!

Toplok · 17 years ago

I really think this Plug ‘n Talk should have been better if it was like magicjack or if Smart had a service similar to SunCel’s unlimited calls (within their network) for a fixed monthly subscription.

Nevertheless, I am glad Smart started this service for the other providers to follow. This is way cheaper than SkypeOut or any other VOIP providers when calling to the Phils.

Donatello · 17 years ago

Well if you’re in the US, you can get to send text as if you were just in the PI. Receive calls and texts also. Site that sells the device in the US and cheap load too:

http://www.plugntalkload.com/

OFW · 17 years ago

Plug And Talk still expensive. I suggest to have our relatives in the Philippines to call us instead.

Globe has TiPIDD service at only P2.50 per min
PLDT has the Budget Card at only P3.00 per min

So that’s more than 50% savings instead of plug and talk. Very convenient pa since hindi kailangan ng PC or internet at all.

Manuel · 17 years ago

Check this website first:
http://smartpinoy.net.ph/SectionPage.aspx?SectionID=9

or view this video so you can make a better judgement on PLUG N TALK. I think this is a good innovation and would benefit a lot of OFWs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRqmFCnXmcg

palaboy · 17 years ago

i compared this one to magicjack actually masmura p rin ang SMART kung ibabase mo sa peso at dollas magicjack charges you for 18cents vs 11cents for smart plug and play and realiable coz u can text and call them kahit saan sila lalo na kung ttwagan mo eh yun matatanda na di naman gumagamit ng PC

Juan dela Cruz · 17 years ago

Sending and receiving SMS through is a plus for having this device as well as incoming call.

But for outgoing call, I doubt it. There’s a lot of phone cards and voip companies which offer cheaper rates in calling the Philippines. Using the computer to place a call should be cheaper, look how magicjack does it.

I have localphone.com and it cost me $0.11 to call a land line and $0.1330 to call a mobile phone.

And the good thing is, I get to assign a local US number to my contacts in the Philippines. I can contact them anytime w/o using a computer.

There are similar voip providers that offer the same service.

bobong matalino · 17 years ago

ok talaga to, kasi ang mga tinatawagan ko wla namang mga pc sa pinas, cguro yung nag iinsist dito na mag skype lahat cguro na tinatawagan nila may pc, oh cguro laging may dalang backpack na ang laman pc pag umaalis…hahaha…hay think! think! think naman kayo!!!

Gladys · 17 years ago

just to inform you all that the plug n talk service is not working and the smart call centers are not smart at all.

i made an overseas call to their call center only to be passed around and later on referred to another call center – who asked me to call the first call center that i originally contacted! nakakainis lang. sayang ang pera sa pagbili ng usb and sayang ang pera na bayad sa calls ng call center nila.

george · 17 years ago

i think this will be a good thing cheaper and more flexible than skype or messenger at least your party don’t need to be on internet to get calls from you

nina · 17 years ago

I agree with Sturat’s comments. I’ve asked my brother to get one for me and send it here in Qatar. I’ve read the details and FAQs about Plug N play and I think this is a really good innovation from Smart. Sure it’s not the best option for OFWs like me but it is a very good alternative.

I’m a skype, ym and google chat user. The major disadvantage with these three is that they are only free for PC to PC calls and you need to install them in your PC. This is major set-back because most of the time, they are not allowed in company PCs – meaning you can only use YM, google and skype at home. With time zone differences, it’s really difficult to match schedules. When you want to call a landline or mobile phone in the Philippines through yahoo and skype, you will need to buy credits, which requires a credit card. Not all OFWs in the middle east have a credit card! Also, at 18 to 25 US cents/minute at skype/yahoo – calls from Plug N Play will be cheaper.

Sturat · 17 years ago

This is wayyyyy better than skype or YM. I have used both of them and they are very much limited. I have used Smart Plug N Talk for just a day here in the USA but I won’t be doing skype or yahoo much anymore.

It works with almost any smart sim so you can let your buddy use it and there is no problem. No need to worry about putting your sim on roaming before you leave the airport…it takes care of all of that for you. People don’t have to remember to reply to your “smart sim” while you text them from another sim or from online or chikka. It is just smooth. And if you have it plugged in and they want to call you, they can do so without going worrying if they have internet.

It’s almost impossible to beat the 1p per text rate and the direct calling to any philippine number means you can call anyone and they will automatically see your number so if it is a missed call they can return it to you. I don’t know how many of you have used it, but I have and I definitely like it. And I’d recommend it to anyone who has friends and family back in the Philippines.

Ecotek · 17 years ago

What they should have done is ala magic jack style by combining PLDT plus and Plug n Talk no more loading prepaid just a devise that would link you to your country telco system that way they could target a more broader market ie juan from USA filipino calling pedro in Europe also pilipino both of them can be called by family in the Philippines and they too can call each other for a basic monthly fee of 400 pesos.. it doesnt matter if they give you manila number even if your relatives are in the province anyway PLDT to PLDT calls are free anywhere in the country (are they still offering this promo??)so if a foreigner see this promo even if his german or what have you and compare how much he is paying to call love one in germany he might switch to this system, buy this hybrid unit (PLDT PLUS PLUG N TALK)for every one he knows and use it even if he is in germany

Ecotek · 17 years ago

for texting love one in Philippines I use yahoo its free, friends in philippines reply via my OFW sim which will cost them 1 peso only… for voice call I use a VOIP hardware with FXO connecting to a wireless and land line network (I have 2in the Philippines)which enable me to call and be called from any mobile or land line phone just like a local call…. friend from other country call my DID or dedicated inward dialing number I have multiple number in London ,Italy, USA, Germany, i even have one in Netherland whle some use friend use their country specific PSTN gateway to transfer calls from a regular telephone to and internet call… configuring s softhphone and hardphone for sip peer to peer calling is easy even my mobile can sip call so who needs Plug N Talk all imformation to connect to loveones can be gathered from the internet

janice · 17 years ago

still its not free unlike skype, sayang naman kikitain ng mga OFW niyan kung mauubos lang sa load.. anyways it seems to be fine, since smart is making its way for OFW to be more convenient in terms of contacts through their love ones..

business mobile plans

aldrin · 17 years ago

The nice thing about that Smart device is Pinoys from abroad will be charged with Peso.

You can use Skype or YM or whatever IM but then, yung mga nasa Pinas na walang PC or takot mag PC, they can now be accessed on their Mobile (which is mas ubiquitous sa PC) anytime and anywhere.

and to iMadrid, not all people are as intelligent as you are. You know, you need those people to have your ego stroked every now and then. :-)

BigBird · 17 years ago

@iMadrid

You can all do that with the right cellphone.

Mandatory Cellphone Feature if working abroad.

SIP/VOIP
WIFI

e.g. E50, E66, E71, E90, N79, N80, N81, N82, N85, N91, N92, N93, N95, N96, N97, SE C902, C905, G705, G900 M600i, P900, W960i X1 Motorolla Cn620

Mandatory mobile application if working abroad.

VOIP/w VIDEO CALL – FRING and YehBA*
YM!, MSN, GTALK, AIM, JABBER – Nimbuzz, mig33 and YehBA
Callback – Nimbuzz, mig33 and YehBA
EMAIL – mobile GMAIL, Profimail
Free SMS – YehBA*
Widgets – Widsets and YehBA*

There are many more apps out there but these i prefer to be on the top of my list. In terms of usability, ease of use and free.

Gwapito.com · 17 years ago

Better use Skype indeed.

Jay · 17 years ago

why bother..?

SMART they’re becoming boring.
who would venture into this kung sa saudi nga eh promo sila ng promo ng mas mababang tawagan rates kaysa sa SMART.

use VOIP skype or YM voice calls.
you don’t need an odd looking USB device & spending on load denominations.

what you basically need is a computer, webcam, headset and SKype / YM

Chipper · 17 years ago

I agree n mas mkktipid ang mga OFW kung ggmit n lng ng skype, kaso PC to PC lng ang free. Ang maganda s service na ito, hindi nman diba kc laging naka online at may internet ang mga taong tatawagan nila dito s pilipinas. Kung pareho lng nman ang rates nito sa isang celfone n ns pinas, ok n ok un. Ang alam ko kung ttwag k using skype to a mobile phone, it cost around 18pesos/min. Sobrang mas mura nito. :)

iMadrid · 17 years ago

@BigBird

OFW’s not owning a PC abroad is a poor excuse. They simply are afraid of touching a computer coz they dont know how to use it. If they could realize how much money they could save by using the Internet. They wouldnt be wasting absurd amount of money with this stupid Telco deals.

Netbooks with wifi, webcam and skype capable are cheap enough. If they shop around for used computers they can get a nice deal cheaper than a brand new netbook, laptop or desktop PC.

My folks in the US used to say buying a computer and internet is such an unecessary expense. Saving money was their excuse. Yet they spend like $30-50 a month for Phonecards. All of our conversations was short and hurried. But when they finally wised up. My dad found a good deal for a G4 iMac at Goodwill. Went to the Apple Store and had the iMac checked for FREE. When he came out he bought a Logitech webcam. Signed for a DSL. The rest was history. Today $10 a month for phonecards to call the philippines, is an occasional expense only when they need to contact someone who are still dumb enough not to figure how to get online.

BTW any OFW with an EEE PC, MSI Wind or any netbook could probably get away with FREE internet by going to many place with FREE WIFI on their day off. They wouldn’t spend a cent making any voip calls at all. Netbooks are great for OFW’s coz they are small and light. Its a wise investment that would pay for itself considering that you are going to make More and Longer calls everyday.

enric · 17 years ago

Hi Yuga! this is Enric from Negros Oriental..can you help me plz… it’s ok to click my own page impression? coz i cann’t control the CTR everyday..

plz. do help me also to promote my blog, you can visit and to see my blog http://www.scrapsoflife-magz.blogspot.com

i submitted my blog to “Mybloglog, Blogcatalog” what else other sites im going to summit my blog? give me some tips and advice.

Thank you! Godspeed! More powers!

BigBird · 17 years ago

According to a very reliable source: Matatalino na daw ang OFW ngayon!

OFW1:”Ang Cellphone nalalagay sa bulsa ang Laptop hindi” speaking intelligently.

OFW2:”Ang mobile internet sa abroad libre sa Pilipinas Mahal!” speaking with pride.

OFW3:”Wise spender kaming mga OFW kaya di kami bili nyan” speaking with passion.

marky · 17 years ago

if Smart has capability of putting up new product like this plug ‘n talk in the market, then they should also improve their existing services like the smart bro, by installing more 3G sites in order to justify there claim that they have nationwidest coverage

Renan · 17 years ago

Hi Yuga, sorry to use your comment box ha pero I sent you an e-mail as well about this. Sir, what’s happening to Ploghost’s services? Our sites are all down for more than two days na! Since you are one of the founders and Ploghost’s support is no longer responding (i.e. pl****@support.com and the Ploghost Client Center) as if they are avoiding the issue, we kindly ask for your support. Please, we know you are busy but please help us bring this to Ploghost’s highest authorities. We have already lost hundreds of dollars and still counting because of this.

IloiloClassifieds.com · 17 years ago

Cool ha! =) nationwide na coverage nito?

@BigBird
yeah I agree. pinakamura VOIP/SIP. Supported na rin ngayong sa Nokia phones. I use sip. meron na nga ako US landline phone number. Calls are directed to my PC. Galing!

meron ba dito Ilonggo sa blog ni abe? Ari na http://www.iloiloclassifieds.com
Free ads posting. Wala bayad. Iloilo City local ads only.

BigBird · 17 years ago

To bad wala pa ata 1% ng OFW may PC!

Lahat OFW mobile Phone

e.g. DH sa Hongkong N93 pang picture picture!
Truck Driver sa Saudi N95 may GPS baka maligaw
Waiter sa UAE N85 pang alerts ng reservation
Mananahi sa Brunei P1 UIQ para di halata
Programmer sa Singapore EPC HIGH Cost of
Living nagtitipid LOL!

Use a VOIP/SIP service na lng sa cp mo for free call and cheap calls to GSM network.

Softphone ba yan? o wireless landline? LOL

iMadrid · 17 years ago

This is Stupid why don’t you just use SKYPE? Its totally free.

My folks from the USA calls us everyday for free. Their grandchildren have never seen them in person. But with the magic of technology these 2yr. old nephew and neice of mine knows them very well.

Alternative to that Smart USB dongle is a SKYPE PHONE – WIFI or Wired. You can bring a Wifi Skype Phone to any wifi hotspot and make your voip calls for free.

crestfallen · 17 years ago

I think Smart got their inspiration from MagicJack…

TechPinas · 17 years ago

sounds cool. :)

Abe Olandres Editor-in-chief · 17 years ago

@johnlazy – please send email to su****@ploghost.com, thanks.

johnlazy · 17 years ago

Can you help me Sir, ploghost webhost technical crew is not responding about the problem on my server at my site http://johnlazy.com Its been 2 days now and I don’t know what happened Its really frustrating.