Telecoms

Mobile 3G is now cheaper than DSL!

Abe Olandres Editor-in-chief December 21, 2009 · 2 min read

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Just realized that since all the telecom players (Sun, Smart and Globe) are now offering unlimited 3G internet and subsequently lowering the prices down, 3G is officially cheaper than DSL.

Let’s look at how much a 1Mbps to 3Mbps residential DSL costs nowadays:

PLDT myDSL 2Mbps: Php1,995 (DSL only)

Globe Broadband 2Mbps: Php1,995 (DSL w/ free Landline)

Bayan DSL 1.5Mbps: Php1,699

Sky Broadband 2Mbps: Php1,999

From the list above, we can see that all of the current DSL offerings that’s “up to 2.0Mbps” have prices ranging from Php1,699 to Php1,999. That should give us what’s the current market prices that’s acceptable to broadband consumers.

Now let’s look at a rundown of unlimited mobile 3G by the networks and see if the prices are cheaper or not:

Sun Wireless Broadband 2Mbps – Php799

SmartBro Plug-It 2Mbps – Php999

Globe Tattoo 2Mbps – Php1,200

It’s pretty obvious now — 3G internet is now way cheaper than DSL. Remember when unlimited 3G used to be Php3,000 per month? That’s a price cut of 60% in 2 years. It doesn’t even consider the fact that 3G speeds used to be 384Kbps. I’d say 3G internet has become 92% cheaper if we take speed and price considerations into account.

Even at current rates, a 2Mbps unlimited 3G subscription is 60% cheaper than an unlimited 2Mbps DSL line. The only reason why people still think it’s expensive is that they don’t use 3G internet as much as they do with DSL.

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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.

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116 Comments

noypi · 16 years ago

Unlimited USB type Internet connection

globe tattoo(basta hindi ma expire sim)
Sun Cell(minimum 2 pesos load)
SmartBro(min 2 pesos load)

kayo n bahala pano nyo gawin, its so very easy. my globe tattoo is unlock i can use sun and smart sim. im currently connected to smart 3g/hsdpa. unlimited my download is 30kbps(congested) to 250kbps( mga 1-5am)

Do you know how to use proxy?

karissa · 16 years ago

everything depends and matters.
the speed, the price and most of all the SERVICE.

I just commented on one of Abe’s recent post on my problem with a huge telco this holiday season.

No matter what internet connection you prefer bottom line is…Ayusin nila service nila!

Because if you’re a paying customer, you should get what you’ve paid for and should be treated equally regardless of your subscription.

rorymabangis · 16 years ago

Waltermart Makati now relaunched their FREE wifi service at the 5th floor. You might want to check it out as few people know of it. This might come in handy if you ran out of load on your USB braodband stick

mnel · 16 years ago

i still prefer a dsl connection because it’s more reliable than a 3G service. I live just across St. Luke’s when I’m in QC and I couldn’t get a decent signal most of the time.

tuldok · 16 years ago

Sun Broadband Wireless better than DSL? Gimme a break…Most of the time, sobrang bagal ng browsing speed, lalo na ng DL speed.

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z277/tuldok89/traffic-shaping.png
^ look at how the speed is capped at 30kB/s

I have used ShaperProbe from http://www.measurementlab.net/measurement-lab-tools#diffprobe, a tool which detects whether an ISP does throttling on an Internet connection.

http://syntacticprogrammer.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/shaperprobe.png
^ Here’s the screenshot

Sonofa · 16 years ago

I subscribed to an unlimited Internet thru sun broadband Internet and till now I have yet to expect speeds that exceeds 400kbps… Compared to my bayantel dsl speed of 700+ Kbps and 1.2mbps at burst speed wala paren sinabi Ang sun

-Sent via YugaTech Mobile App

Jack Abat · 16 years ago

Yes it’s true, the problem of 3G Networks are the consistency and reliability of thier service.
So watch out for the upcomming of the 4G technology here in the phils. It will provide better quality of service to the subsciber compared to the 3G and 3.5G technology.

For more info, you may contact me :
0917*******
5023307

Mike Lopez · 16 years ago

I think the only selling point left for DSL is reliability. If 3G signal is good in you area then it’s definitely the way to go.

mindyQ · 16 years ago

if a telco will offer say a P499 monthly plan for unlimited wireless/3.5G internet but capped at 512kbps i’ll consider it. i just need basic access for internet browsing and email on the go.

driftracer85 · 16 years ago

Probably, a good remedy for wireless 3G/3.5G is to upgrade and have more servers and IP addresses perhaps?

Manny P · 16 years ago

Panget sky broadband. Mahal na, shared IP pa (kahit wired sila) kaya parang yung sa mga 3G networks lang rin.

Francis · 16 years ago

I hope the executives of the different telcos in the Philippines are reading and consider all our views with an open mind and serve as a wake up call for them. They should realize that we are scrutinizing all their services. Matatalino ang mga Pinoy consumers!

Mr VVV · 16 years ago

Still, DSL rules. Garena, Corporate accounts etc. Stable Hi-speed net.

DSL.

iLove · 16 years ago

@deuts
Was that a deal sir since you were a zpdee subscriber before? We have sky broadband plan 1999 here which is 3mbps because we are also subscribed to sky cable tv (so actually we’re like paying around 2,850 per month cable + internet). If one isn’t a skycable tv subscriber they only get around 2mbps for P1999. Mydestiny also provides around 1.5mbps for P999 (which you can also get cable tv services from global-destiny albeit “unofficially”).

I would just like to add that SUN offers, not only unlimited 3G internet, but an all unlimited plan for a low low price of P1,500 monthly plus free 60 minutes worth of IDD calls and 250 free texts to other network. Now that’s a deal! Free unlimited 3G broadband access, unlimited calls to local landlines, unlimited calls & TEXT(!) to fellow sun subscribers. Now if only my family and friends are on sun network.

Sun Elite Plan:
http://www.suncellular.com.ph/news_detail.php?id=70

deuts · 16 years ago

It used to be known as Zpdee. But when they rebranded to Sky Broadband, the max speed was upped to 2Mbps.

deuts · 16 years ago

@yuga, yup. it was the only provider available when I was looking for ISP in Cityland.

Andre Marcelo-Tanner · 16 years ago

I get mobile 3G and wired with PLDT DSL and PLDT Weroam Plus, have yet to get a wireless bill for my usages.

Andrew Mercado · 16 years ago

Due to more and more people using Mobile Internet and more users abandoning DSL, may be that’s one reason why DSL is faster than 3G/HSDPA these days but we can’t discount also the convenience and mobility the mobile internet providing us. The convenience of connecting to net anytime, anywhere is one great advantage of mobile internet.

wowmobile · 16 years ago

if i would choose i still go for dsl,, smart bro says in their commercial the fastest broadband daw sa kanila,, ehh kaya naman pala sa ibang lugar sa pinas pumapatak lang ng 30kbps lang pinakamataas na ang 200kbps at pag madaling araw lang un,,

so why go for smart broken if you can have dsl

ZJ Morales · 16 years ago

I still prefer DSL rather than 3G. Swertihan sa 3G eh pag DSL, sure ka na makakapag internet ka. Anyways, I use Smartbro also, kahit yung cheapest nila parang kasing bilis lang din ng DSL. Mura pa. :)

Nemo Trinidad · 16 years ago

3G internet still has a long way to go before it can truly replace DSL mainly because:

1. Reliability and speed depends on the location of the user.
2. Recent speed caps by telcos make them even less attractive.
3. It’s almost always unbearable to lay online games with wireless (high pings)
4. Shared IPs don’t work well with download providers like rapidshare

It might sound cheaper on paper, but the benefits of a wired connection may offset the higher price it commands. :)

deuts · 16 years ago

I have a Sky Broadband that’s into 2Mbps, and I’m charged at P999 per month.

Abe Olandres Editor-in-chief · 16 years ago

@deuts — you have Sky Cable subscription too?

Jp Jamon · 16 years ago

It’s pretty amazing how competition allows for better and cheaper services for the consumers… However, The speed of these wireless 3G is still slower than most DSL services… Our PLDT dsl / landline service only costs 999 a month and it is way faster than the plugged wireless broadband service. The only upside to the wireless broadband is that it’s mobile…

Edgar · 16 years ago

Mobile 3G – in the absence of a wired connection. A thing could only be “good” if and when it’s available. Then there’s the issue on “reliability” to consider. If you have such high hopes on the latter, you’re in for a big disappointment.

james · 16 years ago

yea! and alot slower

Ardz · 16 years ago

@xpactor, petken, driftracer85,

Speeds are capped because of the terms of acceptable use in contracts. Read this first before signing up with any telcos.

david · 16 years ago

I used to be able to get 1.4mbps with Smart 3G in my area, but in the last 6 months or so, I’m lucky to get 100kbps, if I can connect at all. I’m guessing that’s due to increased usage. I had to disable 3G in my cellphone. They need to seriously improve their network coverage. DSL is a better deal if it’s more reliable and consistent.

Jhay · 16 years ago

It may be cheaper than DSL, but the far less reliable especially in the provinces where you need to be in an area covered by a good 3G/HSDPA signal.

Otherwise, you’re back to dial-up speeds for the price of a DSL connection!

mindyQ · 16 years ago

wired connection is more reliable for home or business use.

marvin · 16 years ago

much cheaper na sila kc ika nga “Nation Widest No Coverage”. Ibinababa nila para marami ang taong magscribe. Tapos in the end papasakitin lang ang ulo mo dahil wala ka laging signal. Tapos hindi mo naman sya maipaputol kc may locked-in period na 1 year or so. Okay lang siguro kung prepaid.

Andew Mercado · 16 years ago

Sharing internet connections and sharing monthly bills will make DSL cheaper than 3G. However, if you need more mobility and flexibility, 3G/HSDPA is best bet since you can optimize the use of unlimited internet because you can surf both on smartphone and on your laptop or PC anytime, anywhere. Even better, if you have smartphone wl 7.2MBps speed you can maximize the speed of HSDPA and use your smartphone as a modem for your laptop at max speed also.

driftracer85 · 16 years ago

@Glenn: You’re right. Both wired and wireless DSL have their advantages and disadvantages. In short, you can’t have everything in this world. It’s a choice between mobility and reliability (I guess).

Considering the P50/day unlimited for Smart and Sun, wireless would also be cheaper for those who do not use the internet on a daily basis. Unless, they invent “prepaid wired DSL” services.

driftracer85 · 16 years ago

By the way, signals may also be inconsistent. Better make use of HSDPA 850 under Smart Bro band settings. These can guarantee speeds over 2 MBPS assuming the network isn’t congested.

HSDPA 2100/850 can be limited to 1.5 MBPS. Most indoor cellsite systems or in-building repeaters do not support HSDPA 850. If you like using Smart Bro inside buildings, better switch to HSDPA 2100/850 because indoor cellsites do not support HSDPA 850, meaning there won’t be any signal if you do not switch band settings. Also, a lot of indoor cellsites are still using GPRS/EDGE. Smart doesn’t really focus on upgrading their indoor cellsites (I guess).

driftracer85 · 16 years ago

I’d appreciate it if the networks do not limit Torrent downloads. SMART works at speeds as high as 3.3 MBPS. It can maintain constant 1.8-2.0 MBPS. The problem now is that these speeds only work when downloading music. Downloading movies, games, TV shows can be slow because Smart limits access to Torrents.

This should be addressed so that 3.5G internet can beat DSL. Otherwise, connection stability of DSL is better. Non-music torrents run consistently at 60-80 kBps using DSL. For 3.5G, the same torrents run at 30-40 kBps. Although music albums can run at 180-200 kBps (almost maxing out the 2MBPS limit of the 3.5G network).

Glenn Santos · 16 years ago

I’ve been using both a wired and wireless DSL and I should say that my wired one never fails as often and gives a consistent connection. Being wired, it works better for download sites, torrents and some of the more secure sites which don’t like shared IPs. Oddly enough, the wireless dsl gets disconnected more often at night, so I guess people use them to download a lot.

Also, shared IP is really difficult to use OpenDNS with since if someone grabs the IP before you, you’re at the mercy of that guy’s OpenDNS blacklist.

For the kiddies or those mobile a lot, wireless is gold but for most of us folks who use the connection for work, wired is still the king.

Sanctuarian06 · 16 years ago

Much better, but still DSL gives the best ideals in terms of SPEED.

laurence · 16 years ago

better bargain….
but unreliable signal strength…….

gene + experiments · 16 years ago

cheaper but slower.

been using globe 3mbps dsl (shared with the internet shop and 2 other laptops with torrent downloads) and it’s still faster than smart bro even if I’m the only one using it. we only signed up for smart because it took globe 2 months to restore the service in our area after ondoy. now we have additional P999 in our expenses and no one is using it.

petken · 16 years ago

3G is expensive for most people because the speed sucks. It is very inconsistent and not as reliable as a wired connection. There’s lot of capping policies even though Telcos do not admit this directly to its customers. Pangcover nila ung mga fluctuations, other variables etc. sa capping nila.

cornflakes · 16 years ago

may kasama kasing Landline from PLDT or Globe.

well, Wired connection is 100x better than wireless and siyempre, hindi maikakabit ang USB Modems na yan sa network not unless kung bibili pa ng additional equipment.

Pedro · 16 years ago

during typhoon Ondoy…we had no PLDT line, but I have Unli Sun Broadband that was working at that time…but sometimes hangin na malakas goodbye signal…

dady joey · 16 years ago

yep, how about coverage? :)

Vance · 16 years ago

Wait.. The sky broadband speed listed above is for non-skycable subscriber, if you are a skycable user, it is 3Mbps..

Secondly, Tatoo is expensive! It is a prepaid plan and 3G in Manila is unreliable..

Ben · 16 years ago

Cheaper and a lot of headaches.

Reel Advice · 16 years ago

Well, it is true that they are cheaper but if you put in reliability and consistency into the mix, I’d still pay for a fix line.

windows7fan · 16 years ago

facts stated here are pretty much true. well at least for my part here in laguna, my 1 mbps dsl is still more reliable than my smartbro plug-it which maxes out at 2mbps. but then again, this may not be the case in the metro where 3g or even hsdpa signal is stronger.

xpactor · 16 years ago

smartbro plugit 999 will be capped at 384kbps according to some csr.
sun broadband is also capped.
and globe is very slow lately.

for short dsl is still cheaper considering the price to speed ratio.

Darius Vanguardia · 16 years ago

wow, thats why i need to win one of those globe tattoos. =)

virtualstefan13 · 16 years ago

The only thing that I complain with 3g Networks are its Shared-IP Structure… (using Rapidshare requires “luck”).

I’m glad Telco competition in the Philippines are healthy and maybe that’s why the rates go plunging down…

Dodie · 16 years ago

It’s amazing how much cheaper they were from before. Only problems are like 3G coverage isn’t that well covered… One time I tried plugging in a Globe Tattoo in my school and I couldn’t get signal… Or if ever I did get, it would be too weak and slow. :(
I did get good feedback on Sun Wireless Broadband. Problem is that someone told me that if too much people are online using the server, it gets really slow…

Right now I’m a Smart Bro user, the home based station one. I’ve had it for I think 3 years now and I still never get tired of their service. It’s pretty fast too…