My Pocket WiFi

[Terpe]

I realise this might sound a bit sad, but I've really struggled without a consistent and decent internet connection.
I need a good connection to get my internet banking done and to stream some news programs and BBC programes.

For over a week now I've been using a pocket wifi.
It's a Globe T@too.

My experience in using this has been mixed but generally quite good.

A very small (shirt-pocket size) unit with decent battery and SIM card delivers around 10Mbs when there's a decent 4G signal and about 2Mbs when it can only pick up a weak 3G or decent 2G

Overall I've been lucky as here in Cubau area (as in most of NCR) there's a pretty good 4G signal
It's so simple to use and not too expensive. My usage has been pretty heavy just lately as I downloaded a lot of stuff.
Basically you load up the pre-paid SIM with a regular call card load. In principle the cost is P5 for 15 minutes. Anything over 15mins gets charged at P5 whether you use the 15 minute cap or not.
I just consider P1 per minute plus P15 until I disconnect.

No choice for me until I'm able to get a fixed broadband line installed.
At a very rough guide a P500 load on my SIM is good for P500 minutes
So far I haven't found any data download restriction

So depending on your location it could be something to consider.

It can also be used as a WiFi extender, so if your located in area where you can receive a free wifi signal it will automatically use that signal without any charge to your card load.

[stevewool]

At the house in Marikina the next door neighbor has a internet shop thing, so all Emma does is shouts him and he lets her connect, and he gets some free chocolates in the boxes we send over ,
Very interesting what you are saying Peter, by the time we are over there you would know what is the best way for all us new comers

[grahamw48]

Thanks for the info Peter. It's something I've been looking into. (Have to use this internet cafe normally... with free wifi).

[Terpe]

When I first arrived here the Globe pocket wifi was priced at P1999
I bought mine a week or so ago at P888

At around P1 per minute it's expensive for heavy users, but very handy for folks like me who travel around a lot.

As soon as our house is in reasonable shape to move into I'll get a decent Globle DSL broadband.
It's the only one I haven't tried so far and I just can't image the service and performance will be worse than those I've so far experienced.

[bigmarco]

Wouldn't be without my pocket wifi when we go to the Philippines.
Nice to see they've come down in price as I'll be purchasing another in August.

[Terpe]

Wouldn't be without my pocket wifi when we go to the Philippines.
Nice to see they've come down in price as I'll be purchasing another in August.

With a decent signal the connection is pretty fast.

[Arthur Little]

Y'know, my late first wifey was petite, at scarcely 5ft tall ... ... but I never thought of putting her in my pocket!

[Terpe]

It's difficult for me to find a good signal in my condo.
I really need to get outside and find a location with good height.

I've now loaded with a Globe package at P20 per hour.
Just need to find that strong signal
I've been recommended to put my pocket wifi on a long long pole

[stevewool]

It's difficult for me to find a good signal in my condo.
I really need to get outside and find a location with good height.

I've now loaded with a Globe package at P20 per hour.
Just need to find that strong signal
I've been recommended to put my pocket wifi on a long long pole

Peter have you thought about something like this, surely you would get a great signal with this , if not you would get some great looks

[fred]

It's difficult for me to find a good signal in my condo.
I really need to get outside and find a location with good height.

I've now loaded with a Globe package at P20 per hour.
Just need to find that strong signal
I've been recommended to put my pocket wifi on a long long pole

Wow..Thats expensive and I bet there`s a data cap on that connection too..Tut tut..
I used to have a dongle like that.. I managed to find a 15 meter cable and we hoisted it up a tree with a plastic cup over it for protection.. Worked pretty good.
Might not be so easy to do in a condo unit!

[Terpe]

Wow..Thats expensive and I bet there`s a data cap on that connection too..Tut tut..
I used to have a dongle like that.. I managed to find a 15 meter cable and we hoisted it up a tree with a plastic cup over it for protection.. Worked pretty good.
Might not be so easy to do in a condo unit!

Yes, it can work out quite expensive if you're a heavy user but at least there's no data cap.
These little units are not intended to be an alternative to the regular connection. Well unless you can get a decent LTE signal. Then you can control costs a little easier and get fantastic speeds.
Sadly no LTE in my area........just yet.

[Maurice]

Has anyone had any recent experiences with pocket wifi? Is it still a good deal?

[raynaputi]

Last year, I bought a Globe Pocket Wifi when we went for a holiday in the Philippines. It's worth it for us, especially when there's no free wifi around. We top up with 599 pesos and it gives us 5GB data for 30 days. Keith used it mostly because I still have a Globe number that I can top up myself whenever we go back. I left the pocket wifi with my sister when we went back to UK and she uses it herself, until we return again of course.

This is what we bought.

https://shop.globe.com.ph/products/m...te-mobile-wifi

[imagine]

why not just use your cel on data, I found it just as good as any globe pocket wi fi

[raynaputi]

why not just use your cel on data, I found it just as good as any globe pocket wi fi

With a UK number, using data in the Philippines would be expensive. Hence the need to buy a pocket wifi.

[imagine]

With a UK number, using data in the Philippines would be expensive. Hence the need to buy a pocket wifi.

oh i thought it was a globe pocket wi fi

[raynaputi]

oh i thought it was a globe pocket wi fi

We bought a Globe pocket wifi and it includes a Globe number when we bought it. That's what Keith used. I thought you were saying to use the UK number. I also have a different Globe number (I had it since 2008) and I use it for my own Philippine phone.

[imagine]

We bought a Globe pocket wifi and it includes a Globe number when we bought it. That's what Keith used. I thought you were saying to use the UK number. I also have a different Globe number (I had it since 2008) and I use it for my own Philippine phone.

sorry for the confusion

[grahamw48]

Yes, pocket wifi is still ideal (if you have a decent phone signal) for holidays and travelling around the Phils, or even when living here, if no cable/fibre available.

[imagine]

when i first came to philippines i used a globe pocket wi fi, then realised it was just as good to use my cel phone, same sim same data, and easily connect to my lap top, so to me it seemed a pocket wi fi was pointless

[Michael Parnham]

What is wi fi only heard of it but haven't the slightest what it is or does

[grahamw48]

It's just some sort of radio wave Michael, from a 'wifi router', which receives the original external signal. So your computer, mobile phone, etc, can receive and send messages, files, and so on, across the internet, via that central router... if you're within so many yards of it, and have the password. No need for wired connection. .

[Michael Parnham]

It's just some sort of radio wave Michael, from a 'wifi router', which receives the original external signal. So your computer, mobile phone, etc, can receive and send messages, files, and so on, across the internet, via that central router... if you're within so many yards of it, and have the password. No need for wired connection. .

I understand now because I have BT Wi Fi throughout the house and I assume that's what makes these fancy phones do what they do. I have an old Nokia 15 years old so never needed WI FI but having said that its used to connect my UHD player to my TV, thanks Graham things are coming together now

[grahamw48]

Ok mate.

(I'm no expert. lol )