As we near the official launch of the highly anticipated Samsung S3, the two telco giants vies for the hearts of prospective upgraders and switchers through their plans. Now before you get too excited and sign up for any of these telcos, let’s take a closer look at their offerings and see which one fits your lifestyle and usage pattern.
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After Smart put out their pre-order page on May 22, they’ve just added additional information on the postpaid plan that the Samsung Galaxy S3 is available.
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The Huawei E587 is an upgrade to the Huawei E586 supporting HSPA+ networks but this time, instead of the 21Mbps speeds of the latter, the E587 can now handle bandwidth speeds of up to 42Mbps. I believe this is also the same unit that is being using by Smart in their Rocket WiFi Plus plan.
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Yesterday, PLDT and Intel held a joint event to present a partnership for the PLDT WiFi Zone and the Intel-powered ultrabooks. They didn’t really share anything concrete plans bewteen the two brands but it was an opporunity for me to ask a lingering question — can paid public WiFi still survive in this time of cheap mobile internet and free public WiFi?
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Sun Cellular started the Anti-Bill Shock for data plans last October 2011 and this was followed by Smart and Globe later in January 2012. Sun has finally rounded up more plans to include SMS and voice plans.
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Smart Comm. has just accepted pre-orders for the Nokia N9 and as expected, it comes free on various Smart postpaid plans and data plans. Sorry folks, no prepaid kit plans here or SRP.
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Smart has just revealed its very first Netphone Edition smartphone — retaining the original name of the Samsung Galaxy Y complete with the Netphone suite of apps. It’s a curious move considering they actually had the un-released and cheaper Netphone 501 hanging since Mobile World Congress back in February.
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After taking some time using the Netphone 701 under the SmartNet, I think I finally got where this is headed and how it is going to boil down. Check out our review of the Netphone 701 and the Netphone ecosystem after the jump.
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We had a late lunch at the Circles in Shangri-la with representatives of Research in Motion (RIM) from Singapore yesterday and they briefly discussed with us their current standing in the Philippine smartphone market.
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In a blogger gathering with Smart this afternoon, they showed us the entire HTC line-up including the HTC Chacha which is initially exclusive to them for the first month. They also discussed their new tiered pricing for mobile internet called Always On.
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Got word from one of the reps from Globe last night that the white variant of the iPhone 4 will be available in the Philippines this week-end. Now that’s fast.
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I’ve been using smartphones for more than half a decade now having tried almost all types of smartphones except for one, the BlackBerry. Five years ago, BlackBerry would be synonymous to enterprise phones. An ordinary consumer wouldn’t even dare to get one. But now, it’s totally different. You’d see normal people carrying a BlackBerry even if they don’t have an Outlook email. “CrackBerries” are so addicted with their phones. Check out our full review of the BlackBerry Curve 3G after the jump, my first for a BlackBerry smartphone.
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Been getting a lot emails from people wanting to buy a tablet this Christmas, mostly as a gift to themselves. The top two contenders are the Apple iPad and the Samsung Galaxy Tab. Here’s a quick guide to all those who asked just to help you make that final decision.
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Globe Telecom lent us their new toy — the mobile 3G router they call Globe MyFi. I’d like to share 10 things about the MyFi so you’re better informed about it before deciding to go and get one.
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Smart is finally out with it’s WiMax service and posters have been spotted about the new SmartBro WiMax subscription plans.
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While Smart and Globe are both offering Php499 a month for unlimited calls on mobile and landline within their own network, Sun Cellular Double Unlimited is also offering similar to its subscribers for half that price — at Php249.
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I thought this should have been launched months ago. Smart Broadband Inc. (Smart Bro), a subsidiary of Smart Communications announced the new 3G/HSDPA service in Subic (during the 20th Ad Congress?). Dubbed Plug It, this is basically Smart 3G with a dedicated USB dongle.
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Just got my latest PLDT DSL Billing today and found several brochures for a couple of promos on myDSL. One of them is labeled “Exclusive Rewards for myDSL Subscribers” which gives free unlimited internet access in over 500 wifi hotspots nationwide (of course, via Airborne Access).
If you are on any of the myDSL Biz package of the residential myDSL Xcel plan, you automatically get the free WiFi. If you are in one of the lower residential packages (Xcite, Xperience, Xtra Value Plan), there’s a monthly additional fee of Php199 per month. However, between now and April 25, 2007, you can get that for a promo price of Php99 and it will be effective for 6 months after activation after which the price goes back to Php199.
Still, if it’s an additional Php199 to my monthly subscription and I always go out with my laptop a lot, this is really good promo. Looks like their previous Smart WiFly promo for Smart Bro subscribers had good results so they’re offering the same to PLDT DSL subscribers.
Here’s how you activate your WiFi access:
Step 1: Go to www.mypad.net and click on WiFi Registration link
Step 2: Register. You will need to provide the ff: PLDT account number, telephone number, name, and email where they’ll send you your access codes.
Step 3: That’s it! Use the access codes to log on to any of the Airborne Access hotspots nationwide.
My friend just handed out this pamphlet from Smart Bro announcing a new promo called WiFly. Basically, this is an add-on service to existing SmartBro (formerly Smart Wifi) customers to avail of unlimited AiborneAccess account for an additional Php99 a month.
Here are some details of the WiFly Promo:
- The WiFly Promo will un from October 16, 2006 to January 15, 2007 with a 6-month coverage at an additional fee of Php99/month (VAT-inclusive) on top of their SmartBro subscription fee.
- Only active SmartBro 999 subscribers can automatically apply for the promo. Existing Smart Wifi 988 and Smart Bro 788 can upgrade to Smart Bro Plan 999 to be eligible for the WiFly Promo.
- Upgrades to Smart Bro Plan 999 will get a free one month WiFly to be effected on 6th month.
- Lock-in period for the WiFly subscription is 6 months. You will still be billed if you pre-teminate. You also need to inform Smart Broadband Inc., if you want to terminate after the 6-month lock-in period.
- Only one Smart Bro subscription per one WiFly account. No multiple logins will be allowed for the Airborne Access account.
A complete list fo the Terms and Conditions can be found at www.smartbro.com.ph/smartbro.
Now, that’s a really cool deal there. For just Php99, you also get an unlimited Airborne Access account. Cool huh? At least if your Smart Bro account doesn’t wok, you could go out and hook up with one of them AA hotspots. *hehehe*
With so many Smart Wifi/Bro plans, I think this promo was done partly to standardize the subscription plans to Php999 and earn a few more bucks off of the subscribers.
Still, IMHO, the promo alone is a great deal (IF you have a laptop). How about Smart Bro subscribers sell these promo account to friends and colleagues for say Php1,000 for 6 months? Good deal and the customer also profits Php406 from it. *hehe*
While we were on the topic of broadband, I asked more about Globe’s Speak and Surf and found out some really juicy details about their new product. I believe this was also mentioned during our last meet-up when the Globe Team did their presentation.
- Out of the box solution for broadband internet and landline telephone.
- Use the wireless internet and the phone at the same time.
- Connects to Globe cellsites using a wireless modem/router via CDMA technology.
- Up to 256Kbps connection speed.
- Costs Php995 per month including the phone line.
- Free text messenging within the network (
500 SMS per month unlimited for the first 3 months)
I was told that this hasn’t been rolled out commercially but they’ve been doing rounds door-to-door. We should be seeing print ads and TV commercials by October. Hopefully, this would answer the growing complaints for a Smart Bro alternative.
Monthly rate is exclusive of handset rental fee which you can choose from any of these handset rental payment options:
1. Upfront payment of P7,200
2. P300/month for 24 months
For inquiries and applications, please call (02) 919-8888 for Luzon, (032) 410-8888 for Visayas and Mindanao or 171 Toll-free from any Globelines landline or payphone. or visit your nearest Globelines payments & services center now.
