Comments on: Philippine Broadband Normalization Index

By: Dave Starr

Dave Starr — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 07:59:00 +0000

Certainly a step in the right direction. I have long been amazed by how my Filipino neighbors, many of whom are better educated than i and also more traveled will put up with the junk that Smart (the one I have the most expereince with) passes of as ’service’. It is not the connection between my home and the provider’s hub … it’s mainly the entire connection between the Philippines and the rest of the world. The entire nation suffers from choked connectivity.

The only way I can see that the huge BPO companies can be operating here is that the individual cosnsumers are being indirectly taxed … by paying for but receiving less than what they should be getting.

By: jhay

jhay — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 01:49:50 +0000

I suppose this is the time we netizens band together to push or lobby for laws that protect our consumer rights from ISPs.

By: Lucien Tiojanco

Lucien Tiojanco — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:23:10 +0000

They better not give me the virus bull crap as I’m running Linux which is virtually invulnerable to viruses. Hahaha!

By: Jovitt

Jovitt — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 16:26:02 +0000

We definitely need better service in our country if we truly want to be competitive in the ICT industry.

Work output is embarrasingly sound with a substandard connection.

http://www.kalyespeak.mypodcast.com
Filipino, as Filipinos speak it

By: Anton

Anton — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 04:21:52 +0000

they should also check those mobile internet plans that say that they have nationwide coverage and when you are in some remote place can only connect at speeds less than dial-up!

By: BrianB

BrianB — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 18:06:45 +0000

Maybe someone can make an objective study on these providers, make a video and post it on youtube.

By: JC John SESE Cuneta

JC John SESE Cuneta — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 17:45:37 +0000

Since we do not have laws, common practice among ISPs locally and internationally puts it to 2/3 of the actual advertised/paid speed. That is already being implemented by PLDT, Globe DSL/Innove, Eastern Telecoms, Bayan, etc.

The problem is, there is no ‘body’ that is keeping watch if these local ISPs are really giving that 2/3 minimum connection of actual paid bandwidth.

Secondly, the consumers doesn’t have protection whatsoever.

Third (or 2.5 if you will), ISPs also argue that it is “fine on their end, the problem is with your computer, you may have a virus, {put other reasons here}”. When in fact, the problem is really on their end – the question is which end of their? Their connection box, their overall system, their buried fiber optics cables?

They do not want to check, and they don’t care as long as it appears fine on their computers.

We need empowerment, not just the Normalization Index, we need laws that will govern the ISPs and empower the consumers to demand that 2/3.

By: Aldrin Cantos

Aldrin Cantos — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 16:17:16 +0000

i hope this comes real. one of the main reason why I don’t subscribe to broadband yet is that, in our place, broadband connection is too slow. 178 kbps… the maximum i tested from an internet shop. and 182 kbps with my in-laws’ subscription.