Smart Communications, Inc. has strengthened its partnership with Ultra Mega, a leading wholesale and retail company in the Philippines, to improve livelihood opportunities for customers and provide access to load products in their grocery stores. During the Ultra Mega Expo 2024, interested grocery and sari-sari store owners could explore the Smart booth and sign up as a Smart Ka-Partner load retailer. The partnership aims to help Filipino micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises succeed, particularly those seeking digital products like prepaid load to boost their income.

With over 38 retail outlets all over the country, online stores, mobile apps, and partner delivery apps, Ultra Mega aims to provide economic opportunities to millions of Filipino families and enterprises through the distribution of quality essential goods at competitive prices. Partners since 2015, Ultra Mega and Smart have supported around 250,000 load retailers and provided a convenient way for Filipinos to access communication and connectivity products and services.

“Smart is a partner whom we deeply value, as they share our goal of consistently elevating our offerings for our loyal customers. Their consistent participation at our milestone events is a testament to their commitment, and has left a lasting impression on our guests,” said Julie Lim, VP for Operations at Ultra Mega.

Smart e-load has been one of the fastest selling products for sari-sari stores across the country since it was introduced in 2003. A world-first innovation in mobile communication, Smart e-load marked the birth of prepaid services, democratizing access to mobile communication for Filipinos and enabling easier communication across the nation and overseas.

Partnerships with companies like Ultra Mega is a key part of PLDT and Smart’s commitment to narrowing the digital divide and enabling access to communications to more Filipinos across the country, contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG), particularly on SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.