SINGAPORE–As usual, being in Singapore has reminded me how unfortunate we Filipinos are when it comes to our information technology infrastructure.
Frankly, I don’t know how our telcos do it. I don’t how, year after year, they can get away with providing us with lousy service while still raking in money. While the availability and affordability of broadband has, to be fair, improved over the years, it doesn’t change the fact that what passes for broadband in the Philippines is laughable by the standards of other countries, such as Singapore. And forget quality of service — if all the horror stories we hear about the quality of broadband in certain areas are anything to go by, even when we part with our hard-earned money, we’re never really sure just what kind of service we’ll get, depending on which area we happen to reside.
So why do telcos get away with providing broadband services that are sometimes much slower than dial-up connections? Why are we consumers expected to grin and bear it if the service in our area is horrible due to some technical problem or lack of adequate coverage?
And to think of all the money they spend on glowing ads that tout how cutting-edge their technology is and how much they’re improving the lives of Filipinos. How many Smart Bro users out there feel like puking whenever they see those ads claiming that this service is the “broadband ng bayan”? Where exactly are these areas where Smart Bro actually has speeds that qualify as broadband? And if you’re one of those users who doesn’t get to enjoy these speeds, sorry ka na lang ba. tiis na lang?
You hear horror stories about all broadband services in the Philippines, whether it’s from PLDT, Globe, Destiny, whatever, that you start wondering if availing of these services in the Philippines is a crapshoot, a game of chance, only we keep ending up with crap.
So what’s the solution to finally ensuring that Filipinos won’t have to put up with shitty service? Is it finally time to get rid of the service area scheme, because quite frankly, I’d like to have as many choices as I can — if only to get the lesser evil. How much are telcos actually investing in their infrastructure?
It’s a pity, because we Filipinos do have world-class talents and skills. We can compete with the best of them when it comes to creativity. But unlike Singapore and countries more blessed than we are, we’re held back by private companies that keep dropping the ball when it comes to infrastructure — and a government that keeps letting them get away with it.
So tell me, who’s your broadband provider, and what’s your horror story?
July 7th, 2007 at 3:30 pm
We are suscribers of both smart and globe broadband..we had our smart bro for almost a year now..but we didnt have a complain maybe smartbro worked very well in our are here in gensan..but until one agent of globe broadband offered me to get their broadband..then, my horror broadband story began when they already installed globelines broadband at home..the first day i test it..i get disconnect every 15mins..whew! the days went by..I thought it’ll improve but it became worst..I just recently experience having no internet connection for 2 days.I want to cut the connection off but of course i cant they’ll let me pay for it..why shoud I pay when all I did get was a very lousy service.This is not fair maybe they should make a revision of the contract they have..that if on the first month and the customer is not satisfied with their service she or he can cut his connection without paying 2 times the bill and paying all the materials they have installed!.Im so upset.Everyday I always get a lot of headache using Globe Braodband Because my sister is the one who uses smartbro.If they’ll only understand me and let me cut off my connection because I am working on the internet 24hrs. and their broadband has caused me a lot of trouble and wasted time..
Globe broadband doin’t market ur broadband if you think that it is not working very well in an area.And try to revise ur contract with the subscribers bec. all of what is written their only were only for ur benifit.Ur company is big please maintain it’s credibility.thank you.
July 7th, 2007 at 2:43 pm
Just come here to US and you will enjoy the new 5mb speed and the normal 3mb cable DSL strength. Or maybe just have your own OC3 line a whopping 155Mb from AT&T. That’s broadband bro, unlike in the Philippines broadband is snail speed.
July 7th, 2007 at 2:18 pm
ehehehe
July 7th, 2007 at 12:07 am
If we are not happy with the ISP’s sloppy service and false marketing gimmicks, then why do we still subscribe to them?
Is it because we do not have a choice?
How about choosing not to subscribe with those DSL or broadband lines and stick with dial up! Period. That’s it! Makes your life worthwhile instead of whining about how your internet life sucks.
Sometimes Filipinos are slapping themselves on the face. They keep on complaining about the service yet they write on blogs, forums, but not directly to the agency concerned. The internet is there for you to provide the email addresses of these agencies, write to them!
Look at the political climate in the Philippines. They all want change yet they choose Gringo, Lacson, trapos and artists who had been known to plunder their country.
During Marcos time, the country appeared to be the tiger of asia, but because of politics, it was a roller coaster ride with Cory, Ramos, Estrada, and now GMA.
You all want her out, right? Who you want next? GRINGO?
July 6th, 2007 at 11:35 pm
The only way for us to get improved braodband service from the providers is to abolish the onerous “lock-in” period to keep the providers honest.
Subscribers will then be free to change their provider if it does not deliver.
As it is, a subscriber is held hostage and forced to endure 12-24 months of bad service or else pay a hefty fine for early termination.