SMART Communications Inc. on Tuesday launched Chikka TopApp, the world’s first Wholesale Applications Community application, allowing subscribers from foreign mobile networks to transfer prepaid credits to the local telecom company’s subscribers.

Instead of credit card or online payment, the corresponding amount will be deducted directly from the sender’s load wallet or charged to the postpaid account.

Napoleon Nazareno, Smart president and WAC Board Member said Chikka TopApp will benefit Filipinos who can easily receive airtime load sent by their loved ones overseas using phones in their home cellular networks.

“We are making it possible for all WAC-accredited Application Developers to reach out to more potential customers,” Nazareno said.

“We would like to specifically help and enable Filipino Application Developers to tap into this huge potential market and we hope to see many of them reach global stature,” he added.

Chikka TopApp was made possible by a new Network Application Programming Interface, which Smart exposed to developers worldwide using WAC.

The NAPI allows developers to bill users through WAC without having to connect separately with each mobile operator’s billing system.

Smart has been taking the lead in developing applications based on the WAC platform. Last month, it launched the WAC-enabled Netphone 701, which features the groundbreaking SmartNet platform.

SmartNet is a service delivery platform, which includes several patented technologies such as Safe Browse and the Global Directory.

Instead of turning off the phone’s data connection altogether to avoid unintended data use, Safe Browse makes available white-listed sites and services. Once users try to visit unauthorized sites, Safe Browse warns them of potential additional charges.

The Global Directory is a service that allows Netphone users to search for other users on SmartNet. As soon as they’ve found the person they wish to connect with, subscribers can send a friend request similar to what is done in popular social networking sites.

“We have the devices—now, it’s as easy as making the applications available to the users,” said Nazareno. “In the near future, we will be introducing more features to WAC applications as we improve on the NAPI,” he said.

To install Chikka TopApp on the Netphone, download the free app from the Google Android Market.