A reader sent an email last night asking why Smart Bro’s Fixed Wireless Plan 999 has been downgraded to just 1Mbps from 2Mbps starting June 1, 2011. So I double-checked and compared the page using Google Cache and here’s what I got.
This cached page was from May 30, 2011. By today, you can see that the page has been edited to reflect the speed downgrade.
Hello Mr. YugaTech.
I recently checked out SmartBro’s Canopy page (http://smart.com.ph/bro/products/homebroa-dband.htm).
I learned that effective June 1, 2011, the advertised “Up to” speed has been decreased to 1Mbps (formerly upgraded to 2Mbps).
No wonder our connection has somewhat experienced a slowdown. This downgrade is quite disappointing since we will still pay PHP 999.
Perhaps Smart could at least decrease the MSF as well.
– Gregory G.
Frankly, I don’t really know why Smart would downgrade the speed of all fixed wireless subscribers (which I believe is already in the 500k+ in number) but here are several possible reasons I could think of.
– Over-capacity. Smart can no longer support the demand for bandwidth for all its fixed wireless subscribers. So instead of upgrading their network bandwidth to accommodate new subscribers, they can simply and easily just cut the allocation in half.
– Subscription Plan re-alignment. Smart is also offering WiMax at 1Mbps for Php999. Smart Bro’s Plan 999 used to be 2Mbps so to make it “fair” across the board, they’ve also made it 1Mbps. This will prevent Smart Bro Fixed Wireless from eating into the market of Smart WiMax.
– Budget re-alignment. Smart is already pushing their next-generation LTE network, Smart Evolution, so it’s possible majority of their 2011 budget is allocated for the roll-out and very small or none is left for Smart Bro.
We can speculate all we want but unless we ask Smart, we won’t know the real answer (go try calling their CSR). I’m shooting an email to a friend who’s now with Smart Public Affairs and see if he can get us an answer.
Here’s my take — if you’re Smart Bro is currently giving you somewhere between 500Kbps to 1Mbps from the old 2Mbps max speed, I don’t think it really matters if the new max speed is just 1Mbps. You still get the same usual speed anyway. This will only be felt by a few who are consistently getting the full or near full 2Mbps limit.
Nakaka Frustrate itong Bagong Pakulo Ng Smart
OLD Subs = 2 Mbps
NEW Subs = 1 Mbps (as of hune pa daw)
sa pamunuan po ng smart if nababasa nyo man ito
nararapat lang na gawin nyo ring 2Mbps ang new subs nyo…
parehong PERA lang po ang binabayad namin…
at hindi naman “PAUNAHAN” ito!
yung mga ILEGGAL users nga naka 2 Mbps Speed
Kami 1 Mbps Lang?
napaka unfair at hindi pinagisipan na plano
if mag downgrade pala kaya bakit di na lang sa lahat ng SUBS? tutal na enjoy na nila eh dba?
or Upgrade Nyo Bulok Nyong Mga Facilities!!!
–Galit Na Bagong Subscriber