With many forms of digital communication available, you may assume that calls and texts are becoming obsolete. However, telecommunications companies continue to offer call and text inclusions in their promos, indicating that subscribers still use such means of communication even in the digital age.
This article by DITO Telecommunity explores the enduring importance of phone calls and SMS, who benefits most from them, and why you should keep subscribing to an unlimited call-and-text to all networks promo in the Philippines.
So-called unli call and text offers were all the rage in the early 2000s, when mobile data was not as popular yet because telcos were still setting up their networks. The competition then was about which telco offered the most affordable call-and-text load options.
Fast forward to the 2020s, and calls and texts are still present in load promos. Why is that? Below are some reasons you may find relatable.
Today's mobile phones, even those with eSIM support, still have Short Message Service (SMS) built in. It doesn't matter if you have an old flip phone or the latest iPhone — there ought to be a text messaging feature there. But rather than ignoring the feature, figuring out how to maximize its use is key to making your load purchases and your phone use worthwhile.
SMS is one way to authenticate your identity. It's a useful protection against unauthorized attempts to log in to your account, as you can receive instant notifications when someone tries to access your profile without your knowledge. Note, though, that the best practice is to use SMS as one of your authentication methods, as relying on it alone may make you susceptible to spoofed messages (or messages that pretend to come from legitimate organizations).
Telcos do not phase out call and text promos because calling and texting are communication methods you may prefer in some situations. These situations may include being in an area with a weak signal, running out of mobile data, or needing to handle urgent matters. It is also sometimes faster to text someone, as they're more likely to see your message immediately than on Messenger. Some users, after all, take time off the internet to reset.
Believe it or not, not everyone uses Messenger to communicate remotely. The notion that phone call promos like all-net calls should be obsolete, based on the assumption that all users will turn to email and chat to send their messages, is misguided. While Statista cites that about 6 billion people worldwide use the internet, that number doesn't account for everyone on the planet. An individual may own a phone but have no means to connect to the internet; for instance, if they own a dumbphone or can't afford a mobile data plan.
You may have noticed that older family members prefer speaking to a real person when calling customer service. Or, if you are on the support side, you may have observed that some customers insist on speaking with a human agent, even if it means waiting several minutes. That's because the human touch provides reassurance that the caller is heard and understood, and it can even help calm down fuming customers.
Sharing a personal update or breaking the sad news that you didn't pass the board exam is also much easier to communicate through phone calls. You can do away with showing your face, but you can still express your sincerity through your voice, and hear the other person's reaction in real time.
You communicate not only with words, but also with your tone, and phone calls can help you convey your message more effectively than a mere chat message or email. Your inflections, emphasis on certain words, and even pauses during conversations can help the other person in the line understand you better and reduce misunderstanding. In the same way, you can also comprehend what was said between the lines by talking over the phone (when in-person communication is not applicable at the moment).
Whether you are sending your condolences, appeasing a client, or proposing to a target business partner, a phone call is more personal. It leaves little room for miscommunication, making it an indispensable means of connecting with people who are far away.
Calls can last hours, and text messages can reach up to a hundred, if you really need to communicate a lot. Fortunately, unlimited calls and texts to all networks promos in the Philippines exist to accommodate that need. Below are the types of users who benefit the most from such generous offers (which you might be a part of):
Unlimited calls and texts at budget prices are valuable for students who need to control how they spend their allowance while still frequently contacting their classmates, teachers, and parents. It's also easier to send or relay urgent messages via texts and calls, like when following up with a groupmate who is five minutes late to call time, asking a mom for permission to stay overnight at a classmate's house for a group activity, or begging a teacher to extend the submission deadline.
Messaging apps like Viber and Slack made it easier for employees to communicate with their teammates and managers. However, on-site workers do not use these applications as much as remote workers, as the former can simply walk up to their co-workers and discuss things. The situation changes, though, if you are a field worker, such as an architect or a social service agent. You can reach your employer or team leader much faster by phone than by email or chat. You can also receive additional instructions much more quickly by phone. Urgent matters, such as issues in the area, are better conveyed by phone, while you can use your messaging apps to send supporting documents and photo proof.
Many customers trust businesses more if they have a functional phone number. If you own one and actually answer the phone when potential customers and clients call, you raise your legitimacy and trustworthiness. You can also use phone calls to reach out to potential investors and business partners, and there are several ways to leverage the medium, such as to inquire about processes, follow up on a previously sent email, or just test the waters. When you account for a phone call's advantages, including rich communication and a personable human touch, you can leverage it as a selling point for both customers and partners.
Calls and texts are not going away anytime soon. That's why you can still enjoy DITO's unli call and text to all network promos longer! With our prepaid and postpaid mobile promos, you can enjoy unlimited access to these services alongside generous data allocations and app-specific offerings. Check out our eShop to see all the promos!
Even in the digital age, the relevance of calls and texts does not fade away. Their importance is even more pronounced if you are a student, on-site worker, or business owner who constantly needs to communicate with others to complete your tasks and succeed. Aware of this need, telcos in the Philippines, such as DITO, insist on offering unli calls and texts to all networks as a permanent feature of their offerings. If you are looking to save on load costs, know that DITO's prepaid and postpaid plans provide some of the best-value call and text promos out there. Check out all our promos today!