Just after midnight today, we headed off to Baguio City to spend the holiday. I brought my Globe Visibility account with me and I borrowed my cousin’s 3G phone (N6680) so we could road test both 3G connectivity along the way. I am trying to do some head to head comparison of both services during our stay here, the results of which will be posted later.
Ok, moving on with some points to ponder for Smart 3G:
- 3G does not always mean broadband speeds. While your conection will automatically switch between GRPS to 3G, whichever is faster, do not expect you’d get some good numbers even if you’re hooked up on 3G. Major reason? Signal strength – the lower the signal strength, the slower the 3G connection. My lowest recorded Smart 3G speed is around 90kbps.
- Coverage is relative. When Smart tells you they have about 800 locations on 3G, it doesn’t mean that the entire area is covered. I noticed that 3G signal only becomes available when we’re at the center of cities we pass thru, not in between them. Not sure how far is the coverage for a certain cell site but my experience with Globe Visibility tells me it’s around 500 meters.
- Smart 3G does not allow all ports so forget about accessing your site’s cPanel, WHM and Webmail. Google Talk, YM and other IMs wouldn’t work. Globe allows cPanel ports t pass thru.
- Smart 3G is cheaper — still Php10 per 30 minutes. Globe doesn’t have that tingi pricing.
The Globe Visibility I used is connected via the PCMCIA while Smart 3G is connected via a 3G phone on USB cable. I don’t think their speeds are affected by these.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Smart 3G always provide broadband speeds?
No, 3G does not always mean broadband speeds. Signal strength affects speed, with the lowest recorded at 90kbps.
Is Smart 3G coverage available throughout entire cities?
No, coverage is relative. 3G signal is only available at city centers, not in between them.
Can I access cPanel or Webmail with Smart 3G?
No, Smart 3G does not allow all ports, so cPanel, WHM, and Webmail are inaccessible.
To whom it may concern,
Good Morning,
Ako po si Gin, Isang nagmamalasakit sa siyudad ng Baguio. Nais ko pong ipag ibigay alam sa kinauukulan ang pagnanakaw ng aking kapitbahay , ang Sibayan Family na nakatira sa address na #070 km, 3, Kitma Rd. ,sa ibaba lamang po ng Mabuhay Inn . Alam ko po na 4 na buwan nang nadisconnect ng beneco ang connection nila sa ilaw dahil ako po ang napagtanungan ng mama na taga beneco kung saan ang bahay na hinahanap niya at tinanong ko po kung bakit? Sinabi po ng mama na taga beneco na electric disconnection sa bahay ng mga Sibayan Family. Wala pa po 1 buwan ang nakalipas pagkatapos maputul ang connection nila sa ilaw nang napansin ko uli na may ilaw na sila,subalit tuwing 4-10 pm lang po sila gumagamit ng ilaw,dahil napag alaman ko na nakajumper lng ang ilaw nila sa labas..Madalas po sila mawalan ng ilaw at tuwing nangyayari ito ay madalas din silang nakajumper sa labas,dahilan para mahalata namin ang paglalabag ns ito.>Si Mr. Cipriano Sibayan po ang madalas kong makita na sumisimpleng inaayos ang wire sa malapit na poste sa tapat nila.. Sana po mabigyan ng aksyon ang paglalabag at pagnanakaw na ito ng aming kapitbahay. Maraming salamat po at ito po si Gin di tunay na pangalan.