After such a great response to my message regarding sms and phone calls, I thought I would run this one past you all........
Our family in philippines have a laptop pc but no landline.
We were thinking of getting them, the wireless internet via Smart
on the prepaid plan. Not so much worried about the costs but more about. anyone have it and how good is it?Code:http://smart.com.ph/bro/products/SMARTBroProducts.htm
Connectivity and speed can vary from area to area, ranging from pretty good to absolute frustration. You pre - load the SIM and then they charge you in 30 min units ie 5 mins connected will cost you the same as 29 so clock watching is advised.
I was concerned about the connection speeds.
They are in Quezon city.
The plan I was looking at is PHP2000 and then 10 peso per 30 minutes.
Connection via a usb modem
We use smart broadband back home and it was ok, we don't encounter much connection problems.....Originally Posted by ivybridge
but i haven't tried the prepaid plan as we use the usual monthly postpaid plan, but it could be thesame....
and as some said here already, it also depends on the area, some areas got better connectivity than others....
"10% of life is made up of what happens to you, 90% is decided by how you react"
"The way to love anything is to realize that it may be lost"
My experience of using SmartBro is pretty good - I have invariably found it faster and more reliable than the o2 equivalent I carry as an emergency back up travelling in the UK for when I can't find a McDonalds!!
That said some internet forums give it a slating for reception quality. If possible try one at the location in QC where it will be used. As I said I have had no problems in Metro Manila or Davao.
You do have to have a separate Smart mobile account, but pre-paid is fine.
To my surprise it does not block use of Skype - which is a major plus point.
Re the charging mechanism IIRC it works in half hour blocks on the hour & half hour. If you time it wrong you can pay for an hour and use only 2 minutes!!
Finally there is a supplier on ebay who sells top ups. They email the code immediately on receipt of payment.
why not do what most of us do and grab the 999php unlimited package..You dont need a landline and they will install the receiver free..I think they have other packages if you want faster speeds..
Hi there! Im currently on Smart Bro post paid plan (999) a month and it works great! download speed is fast and browsing has never been a problem.I also use skype to talk to my husband in the UK and it works well. If you can afford it, why not go for the post paid plan? you also dont have to worry about the limit on surfing time and what nots..
Yeah that is what im using with my laptop. Its better connection...fast and cheap. Only cost you 30Ph per hour
There once was a girl that believed in mankind, that there was still honor and chivalry that existed in everyone of us. She also believed that everyone deserves a chance to prove oneself individually and hoped that the courtesy would be returned. That girl is dead now, and all that is left is her shadow. To give one a chance to prove thyself is a chance for you to become dwindled in the dissappointment.
Mine is SmartBro Prepaid... so far i have no other complains other than sometimes during bad weather the signal is not good. It works ok, almost the same as the SmartBro postpaid as we are using it in school. Its also economical on my side and I don't need to pay the monthly bill. If you want to use the smartbro prepaid, just be sure you have a smart broadband site and 3G signal in you place. And the speed also depends on the place if they have the broadband signal speed is faster or the usual 384kps.
Just P20 per hourYeah that is what im using with my laptop. Its better connection...fast and cheap. Only cost you 30Ph per hour
It depends on the purpose of having internet connection. Post paid for unlimited internet use, its 999 a month. But if you are not using the internet very often, then prepaid is more likely.
Hi may I know where exactly in PHil, SMARTBRO connection got limited access in some areas although they're saying on there ads its nationwidemost remote area (provinces,barrio,small town) will work somehow but very slow
. Let your family in PHil inquire first at SMART centre if there area is feasible with smartbro connection. If exist,
I suggest this one
PLAN 999 "UNLIMITED"
Unlimited broadband even if you're beyond the reach of a phone line.
Speed : Up to 512 kbps (New and improved speed)
No. of Hours use : Unlimited
Connection : Fixed wireless connection (FREE Installation Fee)
Requirements : Subscriber Application Form, Proof of Identification.
Total Initial Payment : Php 999.00
Lock-in Period : 12 months
so no hassle of reloading everytime you want them to get online they can access it straight away
but you have to prepare for the electric bill consumed
Don't make promises when you are in JOY. Don't reply when you are SAD.
Don't take decisions when you are ANGRY. Think twice, Act wise. BE happy.
I seem to remember problems with topping the Smart Bro SIM up - somewhat bizarrely you couldn't do it on line or over the phone but had to get it done in a Smart shop nowhere else did them. Similarly you could only buy the USB Dongle in a Smart Shop (this was March 2009)
I think I am swaying toward the PHP999 account. It would save the hassle with top ups, and it says free set up, so I guess it includes the dongle.
Its just a pity that it cannot be used for free telephone calls as well. I gather it is ok to use skype, but I think there is a charge to call a landline via skype.
my asawa has smartbro and it is not that good.. but i think it is because of where she lives( bad signal)...but it is the best for us...i guess we are lucky....it amazes me sometimes....we are 8000 miles apart but we are nearly always in contact ..phone and internet....amazing technology....bravo modernisation
POWER TO THE PEACEFUL. MABUHAY IRELAND AND PHILIPPINES
As I mentioned in my previous post j2ecomm on ebay sell reloads - the code is e-mailed immediately on receipt of funds.
Yes it is bizarre that pldtonline does not sell their own reload online.
The post paid service is fine but it requires a service Contract commitment of 12 months. & anyway if you are using a laptop that can be used in a free WiFi zone you might find that pre-paid is much cheaper for your requirements.
Its just a pity that it cannot be used for free telephone calls as well. I gather it is ok to use skype, but I think there is a charge to call a landline via skype.
Yeah..From P.I it costs 0.017p per minute to call landline.. Read the zeros!
Even I can afford that occasionally!
Is that a call from a pc using skype to a uk landline?
Yeah..
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