WITH its stark white walls and open display rooms, Hafatel invites more than the islands’ spirit in its name, it is a leader in cell phone technology.
Hafatel, with two local branches in Chalan Kanoa and Garapan, was the first to introduce
Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) to Guam and Saipan.
GSM is the most popular standard for mobile phones in the world, with over 2 billion subscribers across more than 212 countries and territories.
GSM makes international roaming very common between mobile phone operators, enabling subscribers to use their phones in many parts of the world.
“Many of our customers enjoy our GSM prepaid service,” said Raymond Achondo in charge of Marketing. “Now, everyone is following in our footsteps, picking up GSM. We currently have international roaming in Guam that we will be introducing here in Saipan in the near future.”
For consumers, the key advantage of GSM systems has been higher digital voice quality and low cost alternatives to making calls such as text messaging.
Hafatel, which started in 2001 in Guam and 2004 in Saipan, linked this quality of GSM and the convenience of pre-paid phones for a hit seller among consumers looking for affordable and high-quality service cell phones.
“Our Saipan subscribers receive 60 free local and international outgoing texts messaging every month to anywhere our linked networks are around the world. All you have to do is purchase a cell phone and a SIM card and you are ready to go,” said Achondo.
Hafatel reload cards start at ten dollars and up. The SIM card starts at $39.95 include $20 airtime. Once your minutes are used up, you will buy another pre-paid card that can be found at various outlets throughout the island and load it yourself.
Hafatel also emphasizes fun and fashion with its cell phone and accessories selection, once you have one you get hooked!
With a large selection of cell phone models ranging from the sleek Benq-Siemens E61 to the hot pink Motorola V3 Girl Razor, there is one cell phone for every age and personality.
“We like to promote fun and fashion with our cell phones. This technology is fun to play with and express your personality by choosing a certain cell phone model to decorate with casings or cell phone jewelry straps,” said Achondo.
Hafatel’s main office in Chalan Kanoa is open from Friday to Wednesday at 9am to 6pm. Hafatel’s Garapan branch is open Thursday to Tuesday from 12pm to 8pm.