By Lawrence Casiraya
INQUIRER.net
IT wasn’t too long ago when Globe Telecom was hyping HSDPA (High-Speed Downlink Packet Access) on laptops, which meant Internet anywhere you go — as long as there’s 3G coverage, of course. The same technology Globe is now selling for home use.
Instead of a little USB modem or PCMCIA card, this one uses a wireless HSDPA access terminal that looks like an ordinary wifi access point, which is connected to Globe’s cellular network. Data access alone (at 512 kbps “promised” speed) costs P995 a month; an optional landline makes it P1, 295.
Though Globe officials I talked to won’t admit it, this wireless broadband bundle clearly competes with Smart Bro by rival operator Smart (P995 monthly at 384 kbps according to Smart’s webpage). The obvious difference is you don’t need to hoist a receiver up your roof because unlike Smart Bro, HSDPA access does not require line of sight.
Eventually, every new technology available like HSDPA can promise broadband access, whether wired or wireless. What the consumer can hope for — short of excellent service — is network coverage.
November 27th, 2007 at 6:22 pm
the reason your speed is too slow is depending on your location. Actually i got 3 accounts from smart bro and all of the three lines are working excellent. I have the the lines at bulacan, sta. mesa and cavite. Two of which is installed in a linksys router and all of the ten pc connected to each router is working very fast. Mga bro keep cool.
November 5th, 2007 at 1:14 am
dapat di kayo nagbayad ng termination FEE….. kasi…. Smart Bro ang di tumupad sa usapan to promise 384kbps(max)…….. mag switch na kayo sa iba na ang guaranteed speed ay minimum speed, hindi yung max ang ginagarantiyahan… Smart talaga ang smart pag dating dyan…. tinatanga nila ang mga inosenteng subscriber… kung Smart ang Smart… ako, Wise….
November 1st, 2007 at 4:45 pm
Mga Sir!!!
Sa totoo lang ok ang koneksyon ko for at least 2 and a half month……….. ang ayaw ko lang limitado ang pwede mong gawin sa Smart bro……………. d aku makapag host ng sarili kong website at iba pang mga bagay na kelangan ko……. puro lang sya sa gamming at unsatisfying download speed……
October 30th, 2007 at 10:56 am
I am currently a Globe hsdpa subscriber and I am very frustrated with it. Barely a month into the service, I have only enjoyed smooth speeds in excess of *gasp* 300kbps for about 20 percent of the time. The connection fluctuates several times in an hour which makes a lot of things difficult (read WOW) I get a lot of below 70 kbps readings and it’s their third f-ing week under maintainance.
I just got smart bro and it would be installed soon. I will be comparing them side by side. My Globe with MAX 3g signal and Smart Bro with full LOS. Stay tuned.
October 24th, 2007 at 5:59 pm
I HATE MY SMART BRO! sinungaling kayo jan sa SMART! ang sabi nyo eh upto 384 kbps! 31 KBPS ako ngayon for the past 4 days! Tapos kapal pa ng mukha nyong mag bill. I WILL DEFINITELY SWITCH MY CNXN TO A MUCH BETTER PROVIDER! SMART BRO SERVICE STINKS!!!