I have been contemplating on getting myself connected to the world wide web without having to buy coffee and an internet card, much less look for a free wi fi spot.
I tried last year when I availed to Bayantel's wireless landline. For PhP 333 a month, on top of the PhP 666 for the landline, I get 40 hours of free surfing. It was a good deal except that the ZTE phone from the telecom company doesn't automatically connect with my Apple.
Two of my best buddies had to work on my notebook, installing stuff I have never heard off (parallels, etc.) just so I can type "www" on the screen. :-(
It went well for a good number of months but taking the "telephone" with me all the time can be taxing. The Bayantel landline reaches 12 months on the 19th, just about the time I can terminate the connection.
After searching last night, I am choosing among the following: Smart, Globe and Sun. I have been reading the three telcos plans and their unlimited plans (with almost the same monthly fees) seem to be great deals.
Smart & Sun offer unlimited plans at PhP 999 while Globe is at PhP 995. I just do not understand the speed that comes with the plan and how it is beneficial for me.
Signal wise, whether I stay in my pad in Quezon City or my folks' place down south of the Metro, my terminated Smart line gets a full-bar signal anywhere I am (even the bathroom). But both my current Globe and Sun lines' are good in Quezon City but signal strength are low in my bedroom in BF.
I am not sure if basing it from mobile phone signals, Smart is the smart choice. I am partial to Globe though since it has been my mobile provider for over a decade.
Decisions, decisions....
Anyone of my millions of readers are free to comment and suggest where I should subscribe.
By the way, when I move to another part of the city, probably first half of 2009, I am not sure which of the three would suit me best. There are only specific providers allowed in the building. Cable is via Destiny (Has anyone heard of this?!?) while telephone lines are provided by either Bayantel (oh no, not again!) and PLDT.
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6 comments:
You know, I'm currently debating whether I should get a DSL connection or a USB modem myself. Hmm... I live in the 27th floor of a condo in Manila, and signals are great (for HSDPA especially). But I was determined on applying for a DSL plan until a few hours ago... decisions, decisions, decisions!
don't base it on the signal bar but what connection you are getting, if you get the 3G signal from Smart, Sun or Globe down south (which you visit once a week), I guess you can choose any of the 3 telcos.
Also consider your browsing activity, if its basic browsing, email then this so-called 'wireless broadband' will do, just don;t expect miracles when downloading or viewing videos.
but basing on what i am reading, SUN is your best choice.
@ david - i'm actually considering one with that plug and surf thingy (dunno how it's called) so I can just bring it anywhere.
@ a_louie - how do i get the 3G signal? Is it something I need to apply separately? But yeah, i need something wireless. But does it really take time to download videos? So are you suggesting I should get a wired connection?
Would wireless be possible as well if I wanted my place to be wi fi?
no need to apply, 3G is what these three telcos are now using (handset dependent) but since youre not using your phone as modem to connect to the net, no need to bother. i was just saying to observe your signal in your location. if you don't get the 3G signal then you will be connected only on 2.5G network or EDGE which is slow compared to 3G.
if you have plans to really download videos from iTunes or somewhere else, then wireless broadband is not recommended as it will take ages. go with dedicated real DSL connection,
I started with a dialup internet and switched to Destiny Cable and been with them for almost 4 years until they had problems and transferred to iCable which uses Destiny's pipeline and it was also terrible. I can;t comment now with Destiny as I don't know anyone who uses their service. But if you have other alternative then go that direction.
Broadband wireless is sort of a "wifi' already as you can move around virtually anywhere with the modem attached to your macbook. As for going wifi in your place, a dedicated DSL or cable internet provider and a wireless router is required. Don't ask me for a router brand since I will only recommend either Airport Express or Time Capsule, you know me naman a macintosh purist.
Consider your needs then decide what to get. Look what happened to your Bayantel phone, waste of money.
Yes, avail of a broadband service depending on your internet needs. But still, if I were you, I would have to prioritize something else...
Globe works faster then the rest, we tried the PLDt and Smart works so sluggish...but that depends probably on locations. It seems that here in BF QC Globe lines works faster.
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