YugaTech | Philippines, Tech Reviews Blog

Around November 2003, I was living at Bacoor City, Cavite renting a nice penthouse on a 3-storey building one kilometer south of SM Bacoor. I liked it there — the food is cheap, quite subdivision, rent is super cheap (Php3.5k for a one bedroom penthouse inc. water and electricity) and lots of space I can host a party for around 50 people.

When I got an offshore job and had to work from home, the first thing that I really needed was broadband connection. PLDT DSL was just new then and the only part of the city that had coverage were the ones beside the Aguinaldo highway. If you’re 50 meters away from the national road, you’re out of luck.

Thus, I looked for other alternatives — cable internet, ISDN, satelite internet and fixed wireless. Nothing was available except wireless broadband and Meridian Telekoms was quick to hook me up for a trial run for 1 week. They went to my pad, positioned the antenna and looked for a steady signal from their nearest tower which is in the Alabang Town Center.

Alas, the signal was enough to get some stable connection. But the price — Php8,888 per month (VAT inclusive) plus a Php10,000 deposit for the antenna with a lock-in period of 2 years. I reckoned, that’s more than twice what I pay for my rent, ah! So I decided I’d rather move back to the metro, get some decent broadband and use the funds to pay for a nice condo or apartment. And until today, I’m still here in the same place I moved into 2.5 years ago.

Ok, we’re done with the tangent….

When Smart bought into Meridian Telecoms and offered Smart Wifi last year, it only costs Php988 (or Php788 promo). At my meeting last Monday with Smart, I was amazed to learn that that same fixed wireless broadband I almost signed up years ago is the same Smart Wifi being offered right now. The price dropped a staggering 90% — yes, ten-folds. At least, they made it as cheap as the dial-up. But so much for the connectivity and support problems which, btw, seemed to have degraded 10 folds as well.