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SmartBro drops Unlimited Plug-it to Php999

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Smart has reduced it’s SmartBro Plug-It Postpaid plans to just Php999 a month of unlimited 3G internet; down from Php1,500 a month in October 2008. There’s a catch though.

According to Smart Customer Support (*1888), the new Unlimited Plan 999 for Plug-It is limited to speeds of up to 384Kbps. There’s a 24-month lock-in period as well.

Compare that to the earlier unlimited speed of up to 2MBps, that seems a bit slow. I was thinking if they had to cap the speed (like what Sun Cellular does with their tiered unlimited plans), it shouldn’t be anywhere below 1Mbps.

Update: Reports coming in that it’ still 2Mbps. It may not have been capped after all. Curious though why that pre-recorded voice on *1888 says it’s 384kbps.

Update 2: SmartBro website has been updated to confirm the up to 2Mbps bandwidth.

Speed : Up to 1mbps (fixed wireless connection) and up to 2mbps (Plug-it modem)
No. of Hours use : Unlimited
Requirements : Subscriber Application Form, Proof of Identification.
Total Initial Payment : Php 999.00
Lock-in Period : 24 months

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Written by
Abe Olandres

Abe Olandres

Editor-in-chief

Abe is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of YugaTech with over 20 years of experience in the technology industry. He is one of the pioneers of blogging in the country and is considered by many as the Father of Tech Blogging in the Philippines.

View all posts by Abe Olandres →

70 Comments

FR
Fred · 16 years ago

“People, you don’t get it. Specially you Fred. Abe already inserted ‘updates’ to address the issues raised. There’s no need to edit the whole article.

Professional online writers keep their mistakes in an already published work to keep the balance and rely on updates inserted from time to time if a change is needed or to stand an info corrected.”

An ‘update’ is an ‘update’. Look it up on the dictionary. ‘Editing’ and making ‘corrections’ is very different from an update.

And I never said, or am forcing anyone to edit anything. I merely posted my observations that blogposts here usually don’t get ‘edited’.
And your last statement saying there is no need for ‘editing’ pretty much vindicates what I am observing.

This is still a ‘blog’. Admins can edit their posts anytime, if they want it.

Besides, how do you know if my post was posted before he inserted his ‘updates’ ?? The only dates are on commentator’s posts not on his blogposts.

Not here to argue. Just posting my observation and since I am a commentator here I am entitled to my opinion just like everyone else is.


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PA
patrickross · 16 years ago

@Smart Broadband Inc.,

Please do not use a corporate name. We all know that Abe is sponsored by many companies, Smart & Globe included. It just so happens that the current giveaway promo is being sponsored by Globe.

I believe that Abe will still remain as objective and factual as possible. If you follow this blog religiously, you would know that already.


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LA
lad · 16 years ago

People, you don’t get it. Specially you Fred. Abe already inserted ‘updates’ to address the issues raised. There’s no need to edit the whole article.

Professional online writers keep their mistakes in an already published work to keep the balance and rely on updates inserted from time to time if a change is needed or to stand an info corrected.


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FR
Fred · 16 years ago

Yep, seen the ads in the newspapers as well.
Smart’s plug-it is indeed 2 mbps and not limited to just 384 kbps.

However, I doubt the blogpost is going to be edited to make the blogpost more accurate.

I’ve read previous blogposts as well w/c have not been edited even after commentators pointed some errors and mistakes.


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LA
lad · 16 years ago

Wondering if I can use this plug-it on a router. Can I make this single device work for multiple computers? Like 2 laptops and a desktop? Anyone?


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RO
Robin Lim · 16 years ago

I does not appear to be limited to 384kbps.

http://www.tipidpc.com/viewtopic.php?tid=205470&page=5


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SM
Smart Broadband Inc. · 16 years ago

Please do not believe on this post! Smart Communications will never cap you download speeds to 384 kbps. Yugatech.com is sponsored by Globe. http://www.yugatech.com/blog/contests/the-yugatech-great-gadget-giveaway/


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BU
Buknoy · 16 years ago

Just performed a speed test here in Bataan, plan 999 unlimited

http://www.speedtest.net/result/657454588.png

this means di sya limited to 384kbps


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HU
hubes · 16 years ago

This is their way of showing thanks to loyal customers.

*******
We understand that you have concern on SMART Bro Plug It plan.

If you are currently subscribed to Plug It Plan 1500 your monthly service fee (MSF) will still be P1,500. We wish to inform you that it is possible to convert your existing SMART Bro Plug It 1500 Plan to SMART Bro Plug It Plan 999 unlimited. You need to settle Pre Termination Fee (if your Plug It subscription is still within the lock-in period) and processing fee. Kindly visit any SMART Wireless Center to convert your Plug It Plan.

We hope this merits your understanding.


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JE
Jerome · 16 years ago

I wrote an email to SMART customer service:
Per your site: http://smart.com.ph/bro/products/

My email:
The UnlimtedPlugit is now only 999 pesos. I subscribed to the same unlimted plugit for 1500..would that mean that my billing for next month would only reflect 999 pesos? Pls clarify.

SMART’s response:

We understand that you have concern on SMART Bro Plug It plan.

If you are currently subscribed to Plug It Plan 1500 your monthly service fee (MSF) will still be P1,500. We wish to inform you that it is possible to convert your existing SMART Bro Plug It 1500 Plan to SMART Bro Plug It Plan 999 unlimited. You need to settle Pre Termination Fee (if your Plug It subscription is still within the lock-in period) and processing fee. Kindly visit any SMART Wireless Center to convert your Plug It Plan.

We hope this merits your understanding.

—-

Damn! Sayang yung 600 pesos


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FR
Fred · 16 years ago

@daddy joey,

Sun is P799 for 2mbps. Get the easy broadband para kung di ka kontento, puede ka umalis anytime.

Sun is ok in metro manila.

Disclaimer: All wireless broadbands naman sometimes crawls to a halt but from my experience mas consistent Sun sa pag maintain sa 2mbps. Less complains din compared to Smart and Globe. Pinaka-maraming complainas as far as wireless broadband is concerned seems to be Globe Tattoo.


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FR
Fred · 16 years ago

@daddy joey,

Sun is P799 for 2mbps. Get the easy broadband para kung di ka kontento, puede ka umalis anytime.

Sun is ok in metro manila.

Disclaimer: All wireless broadbands naman sometimes crawls to a halt but from my experience mas consistent Sun sa pag maintain sa 2mbps. Less compains din compared to Smart and Globe. Pinaka-maraming complainas far as wireless broadband is concerned seems to be Globe Tattoo.


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PA
patrickross · 16 years ago

Hi Abe,

You will be pleased to know that the current Plug-it Plan P999 unlimited still gives out speeds up to 2mbps. It was the old fixed wireless (canopy) postpaid plan that had speeds of up to 384kbps. This was later upgraded to up to 1mbps.

For further details, please follow this link, and look for the “Plan 999 Unlimited” section: http://smart.com.ph/bro/products/SMARTBroProducts.htm

Patrick


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PI
Picoy · 16 years ago

If you check this website the same speed is offered for plug it modem plan 999 unlimitted this was formerly at plan 1500.

url]http://smart.com.ph/bro/products/SMARTBroProducts.htm[/url]


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BU
buknoy · 16 years ago

so this means na pwede mong ipacancel yung account mo dahil mali ang advetisement nila? tagatangkilik kasi ako ng plan 999 na ito at hindi naman yata fair kung ganon.


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PA
PaulC · 16 years ago

Off topic.. RJ bigyan mo ko ng invite sa Google Wave.. ^__^ as****@gmail.com


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PA
PaulC · 16 years ago

False advertisement.. Di nyo ba napapansin? Magaling sila mag advertise pero pag may problem na laging may dahilan? Tapos magfifile ka ng rebate di naman nila i hohonor.. Sasabihin lang sayo.. Sorry po.. WTF!!! Smart sucks!!


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PE
petken · 16 years ago

@buknoy magulo kc ang CSR nila…


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BU
buknoy · 16 years ago

Oo nga, sabi sa website ng smart ay “up to 1mbps, up to 2mbps plug it”

http://smart.com.ph/bro/products/SMARTBroProducts.htm


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SM
smartest · 16 years ago
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SM
smartest · 16 years ago

guys ito from smart mismo ang new plan 300 unli surfing.
[img]http://smart.com.ph/NR/rdonlyres/D64CAD44-B0B3-4AC5-878C-4CD76671604A/13279/BlckBerryUnlimitedPlusFP1.jpg[/img]


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SM
smartest · 16 years ago

Guys may new plan ang smart plan 300 unlimited surfing.


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RJ
RJ · 16 years ago

Sorry po sir yuga, Off-Topic. Sino po dito ang gusto ng Google Wave invite? :) Sayang lang kasi yung mga college friends ko di nila alam to.. :(


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JI
Jiro Yan · 16 years ago

Still SUN Broadband… wala ng iba pa. consistent in 2Mbps speed.


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IR
irv · 16 years ago

I can live with this as long as it’s truly unlimited, no matter which web site I go to.

We need affordable plans like these to encourage people to buy smartphones and kick start the ‘mobile internet’ lifestyle.


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DA
daddy joey · 16 years ago

How fast is Sun Broadband? Any feedback from Sun Broadband users in Makati? Thanks!


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EF
Efren Jan Corpuz · 16 years ago

hahaha…

binaba na kase dami gamit ng mga

UBT and FBT…


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AN
Andew Mercado · 16 years ago

I think it’s better for Smart to change this particular promo to prepaid instead of postpaid (24 mos.lock-in) or lower it down to Php499/mo. postpaid and that’s a pretty good deal. LOL


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JH
Jhay · 16 years ago

I knew there was a big catch about this one, at that slow speed, lugi naman. hehe


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AD
Ad · 16 years ago

Second the motion rye


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RY
Rye · 16 years ago

Masaya na ako sa 0pera mini sa phone ko. Libre pa. Anytime, anywhere!


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WI
willbill · 16 years ago

wow… sulit ba ung Php999/month.

Di ba ganito yung speed ng smart bro dati?


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CH
chris · 16 years ago

I agree with the other comments. In surfing the net there are 3 things to consider speed, price and reliable connection


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MA
marvin · 16 years ago

PLDT pa din ini, ala kc talaga signal yan sa amin. Kahit free plan ay never ko pa din magagamit. malayo kc kami sa kabihasanan. je je je


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LE
Leo · 16 years ago

maganda yung plan nila kung yun 384 kbps n offer ay 384 kbps, regardless of time o location, pero kung parehas lng dn sya ng plan 2mbps n mahirap maabot, parang hindi ata maganda yun. opinyon ko lang po. salamat.


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PE
petken · 16 years ago

sir yuga bakit sabi sa website nila eto 2Mbps pa rin? I’m confused sa kanila kasi minsan iba sinasabi ng mga CSR.

Speed : Up to 1mbps (fixed wireless connection) and up to 2mbps (Plug-it modem)
No. of Hours use : Unlimited
Requirements : Subscriber Application Form, Proof of Identification.
Total Initial Payment : Php 999.00
Lock-in Period : 24 months


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RE
Reel Advice · 16 years ago

Wrong move for Smart for capping it at 384kbps. I’m still a happy Sun Broadband user and I even pay less to get faster speeds!


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VA
Vance · 16 years ago

@buday.. lower the prices..


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JE
Jerome · 16 years ago

Aww no more 300 KB/s torrent downloads…


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DA
daddy joey · 16 years ago

wow, less 500 pesos, your 2Mbps is now 384Kbps. i was also thinking the same @andrew, maybe they want to cut some bandwidth issues. i’d still go with that extra 500 pesos though.


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AN
Andew Mercado · 16 years ago

I think the main reason for Smart for reducing from 2MBps to 384Kbps max. is the bandwidth issues that it will tend to slow down or congest their network if they continue to offer 2mbps max speed. Actually, unlimited for 384Kbps is not bad at all but it will be a better deal if smart allows tethering for our smartphone because it gonna make more sense if they do that. For some of us we use smartphone for internet and not PC or laptop all the time. So, the best deal for me is to allow that smart sim card both on smartphone and laptop and that’s a real unlimited for me.


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BU
buday · 16 years ago

@oj

don’t compare our country to 1st world coutries like singapore, US, Japan.

FYI we are included in the top 80 in internet speed.

Also only less than 5 million out of 80+ million filipinos are availing(subscribed) the internet service.

so how could telcos upgrade their equipments with such low market share?


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HU
hubes · 16 years ago

for me its okay to limit speed at 384 since its primary use is for mobile users. but not at 999 / month. maybe 450 monthy would be a good starting price.


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ER
Erin · 16 years ago

@oj: because the infrastructure needed to support that is not yet here and it will cost billions of pesos to build them. hopefully the infra and technology will trickle down in our lifetime.

like what you said, business is business.

ciao!


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OJ
oj · 16 years ago

Garapal naman mga telcos dito sa bansa natin. Bakit hindi nila mapababa at mapabilis ang internet dito sa atin. Samantalang sa ibang bansa ang mura at ang bilis ng internet nila. Business is business talaga dito sa Pilipinas


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SA
Sanctuarian06 · 16 years ago

Globe pa din ako. Hehe. By the way Sir Yuga, ok ba gamiting P50/day unlimited net for 1 day ung promo ng smart pag nilagay sa HSDPA STICK? Openline na kc ung Globe Tattoo Dongle ko,any sims pwede na


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ED
Edgar · 16 years ago

@Brent: Precisely.


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SH
Sherwin · 16 years ago

there are a lot of people who needs the internet unlimited even if it isn’t that fast. especially those who needs to check their email every so often. IMO the unlimited internet’s use should really be capped at this speed rather than some people using it for torrents and draining the speed. It is meant as a secondary internet for people on the go, rather than it being the primary if not the only internet connection.


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BR
Brent · 16 years ago

Speed matters so who will avail this plan? Better used prepaid with HSDPA phone as modem.


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JE
Jerome · 16 years ago

Does this mean that bandwidth for existing postpaid plan 1500 plans would be reduced to just 384kbps?


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