It does sound like the ideal internet solution for casual internet users. But the real concern is the quality of service, I’ve heard that the Plug’n'Play Smart Bro service has terrible signal in some areas.

Yeah, we’ve heard of similar nightmares concerning the other portable Smart Bro solution, but given that this is running on the 3G signal which is probably more accessible in a greater majority of areas (in the metro), this should perform better.

This is definitely an intriguing product, but how would the bandwidth be compared to an internet connection through a 3G phone? I’ve been using my k610i to connect online for a while now, and I’ve had pretty impressive bandwidth readings - went up to as high as 380 in Davao City. (In Metro Manila, I’ve been able to connect at an average of 200 , but there have been multipe “dead spots” where I couldn’t even get a connection decent enough to check my email.) Would the prepaid broadband service give a substantially improved connection?

@dodot

This is what we’ll have to wait and see as the months go by when more users voice out their concerns/feedback on it.

please don’t get this one… as its main features are nightmares and headaches…

-always getting a web page “insufficient balance” even if you still have (like Php150) its so annoying

- always disconnected you have to reconnect every now and then even if you have a strong 3G signal

- I realize(how stupid of me) i could use my cellphone as a modem and connect to the internet you odnt have to buy their almost 5K worth of crap gadget.

- they have a superb moronic and unaccommodating group of call center guys ready to give you a nonsense crap of help support
- Don’t wait for another so called “first innovation” of smart bro they never perfected their IT infrastractures or their tech support help.

- twice now I’ve been a victim of this smart bro crap and now never will i get any wireless service

Those are indeed legitimate issues Smart has to address, but one of the more interesting points that was raised is the use of 3G enabled phones.

If you’re already using one that’s 3G capable, you don’t really need to buy Smart Bro’s modem since you can use your phone as one. This will save you money, plus the fact that you don’t have to carry two devices that more or less does the same thing.

you should definitely not buy not damn thing is not worth the price, its just the same as your 3g capable phone with built-in modem.(ex. n-series) if you have such a phone you may avail of that service. for the same rate without spending your bucks for a non sense gadget.

ooooops!!!!!!!!! i dont think its the same!!!!!!!!!!!! it depends on the user dont just focus on the speed the same blah blah blah.. well for example im a hardcore gamer and a DOTA lover can i play that game in a 3G capable phone????????? and notice this although both can use 3G connection its still not the same speed while opening a web page especially pages that have lots of pictures like friendster ….PC with smart bro will open fast rather than your 3G phones.why well dont forget the BANDWIDTH mate although both uses the same internet speed the cache of your 3G phone is far more much lesser than those of a PC…and i just tested it even DIAL UP opens friendster web page much faster than my 3G phones (using 3G not GPRS)well hows that hehehe!!!!!!!!BANDWIDTH :>

You’re right, using your mobile phone to browse the internet via 3G is indeed slow, but what we’re talking about here is the capability to use the mobile phone as a modem to connect to the internet through 3G using your PC. You won’t have to buy the 3G modem which basically does the same thing as your 3G phone/modem.

The modem used for the service can connect to HSDPA or 3.5G which can give speed of more than 400 kbps. My personal best when connected to Smart’s network is 1.2 Mbps. At P4,500, an HSDPA device is still the lowest in the country. The cheapest HSDPA phone now is still in the range of P16,000. Plus you get worried every now and then about being disconnected if there’s on incoming SMS or call.

Thanks for the comments…. I’m really planning to get this one… But before buying one, i need to read more comments both constructive and destructive. I worried becuz since its thru a mobile phone there would still be a great difference between using a real PC and a mobile phone. Issues like web caching, signal traffic, QoS(strong connection, no DCs), security, uncontrolled interferences, like bad weather, signal coverage, etc. etc. The most important thing is, can it handle video/audio streaming or large file torrent downloads? I mean “384 kbps” is more than enough for it… but is it reliable? Thnx in advance.

You won’t access the internet on you’re phone, but rather on your PC. You use you’re phone or the Smart Bro Prepaid modem to connect to the internet, but all the web surfing is done on the regular PC .

Now, regarding reliability, some say it’s bad, but others say it’s good. I guess, for now, it depends on your area.

one good indicator is to find someone with a 3G phone (better if HSDPA) with a Smart sim and see if the areas where you plan to use Smart Bro have strong 3G signals. All major cities have pretty decent 3G coverage.

Well Smart Bro Prepaid disconnects a lot with a GPRS signal so it’s safe to say it’s bad and 40kbps tops. *sigh*

Didn’t know our place is so far behind to not have a 3G signal. Lol. So i travelled to Baguio in search of 3G and i have to say it has pretty decent bandwith over there i think it went up to 500kbps but also often disconnects.

I use Wifi

what can we do to subscribe in smart bro if the area of our house is a deadsport or theres no signal because of the trees arround us we subscribe in smartbro but when the technicians came bye to our house they said theres no signal so we are now claiming refund that can be get after 9 working days, we are hoping we can get some solutions of our problem before we get the refund… pls reply to my email ad.. thanks, we are located at skyline 3 cat. grande davao city philippines

I believe the cheapest HSDPA phone is not P16K or higher. Nokia 6120 Classic has HSDPA and I believe it is about 9K more or less.

i have a few question. my wife is using a smartbro, right now but im the one who apply b-4 i go abroad, now my question is my wife will transfer to quezon province, how can we transfer smart bro. my contract started last oct. 2007, please help us waht to do.. looking forward for your reply as soon as possible thank you very much

@richard

try getting in touch with Smart Telecommunications. They have certain requirements for Smart Bro to work in a particular area so we can’t assume that the service is available in the area where she is transferring to, especially since its in the province.

I am still undecided if illgetthissmart bro pre paid. For those who are not satisfied with the smart bro pre paid probably you can sell the gadget to me to try it out instead to buy the new set. Pls call or txt me at 0906 2211990 . thanks - Janice Medina

hindi po ba tlga pwede ung smart prepaid sa linux operating system kc gusto ko sna mag avail nyan kaya lang di nman pwede sa laptop ko.. pls mag upgrade nman kau ha.. pls po.. tnx

I was planning to have that smartBroPrepaid but I was disappointed while reading your comments.. I think I will apply at globe broadband 590.. :> lol

since i saw the ad on tv, i became very curious coz i really want to have my internet at home.

But when i saw your 4 steps to have it, i was disappointed to the price of the smart kit. its too expensive. is there any other way to have that prepaid broadband? pls answer back… thanks!

regarding the smart bro prepaid,(i’m using it now..) why is it that i’m just receiving 16 0r less than 0.4 kbps??!!
hmf!

Prepaid Broadband Internet is already in the country for more than three (3) years na po in IRIGA CITY, CAMARINES SUR. Its first application is in UNIVERSITY OF SAINT ANTHONY (USANT) where students are given a limited internet card (scratch card) that can be used in COMPUTER LABORATORY, INTERNET LABORATORY, IRIGATEL INTERNET CAFEs and Dialup. The schools internet service provider is IRIGA TELEPHONE (IRIGATEL) COMPANY, the owner of IRIGATEL and USANT are the same in the person of SANTIAGO D. ORTEGA, Jr., the MIS head of USANT and the Network Administrator of IRIGATEL are the same in the person of PABLITO P. ZAMUDIO, the system is called by Mr. ZAMUDIO as BIAS or Broadband Internet Access System, on May 8, 2008 IRIGATEL launched the country’s first ever PREPAID DSL for only PhP7.50/30min. Now internet card of students from USANT can access the internet at their home using DSL connection, INTERNET LABORATORY, COMPUTER LABORATORY, IRIGATEL INTERNET CAFÉ, and DIALUP.

What a mess… My Goodness why smart is making this foolish innovation, I’d wasted money for this stuff its not even worthy for the unreliable price. Buy this and you get lost.

I’m connected with smartbro and honestly, Im very happy with their service. Im working as a home-based telemarketer and I dont have any problems with the speed and the connection of my VOIP. Thanks Smartbro!!!!

im using my p990i as modem and getting 460kbps, still i can receive sms messages, here in bulacan. i heard about this prepaid broadband kit and notice that it is also based onth 3g principle, so why will i get this roduct if it is the same as my 3g enable phone modem. it just like you buy a 3g enable phone without the calling and txting otion.

Just make sure you have 3G signal on your area before buying the modem(4500) if not just use your CP as modem.

With regards to IRIGATEL their service is f****d up when they started offering promo for DSL and phone line for only 750 pesos, my bandwidth DROPPED less than half of my subscribed speed.

DSL speed 51kbps… you call it DSL????

pano ggamitin ung cp as modem.?

@ bruce

refer to your cp’s user manual

I think the smartbro prepaid service is being marketed to people unaware that using your 3g phone will do the same, and some.

I have known this IT fellow since I started working, and he is impressed with the device, but when i showed him that he could attain the same speeds using his own cell phone as a modem for his pc, he was shellshocked.

For almost two(2) years, we had to endure hell with SmartBro Wireless.It seems the word “quality” is not in the vocabulary of Smart.Take-in lang sila ng take-in ng subscribers and seeming disregarding their network’s capacity to handle the traffic. Finally last month, we have finally said enough is enough. We have switched to Globe instead. So far, so good. Quality is superior. Hey, Smart, perhaps a change in corporate name into “Not-so-Smart Inc.”, coz that’s how you seem to be acting…c’mon guys, I’m sure you can do better…