Smart now has their own version of a portable 3G+WiFi router they called SmartBro Pocket WiFi. This new product competes head-on with Globe MyFi launched back in July.
The SmartBro Pocket WiFi is only available on a postpaid Plan 495 for 50 hours of 3G internet every month. You will also need to add another Php150 per month for the Pocket WiFi device for the next 24 month lock-in period (that makes Php645/month for 24 months).
An extra Php10 per 30 minutes will be charged on top of the MSF when you exceed the 50 hour allocation. The promised speed it up to 2Mbps. They even have a promo that if you pay on time, you get 5 hours free on top of your monthly allocation.
As of the moment, they do not have an unlimited plan, probably because this will compete with the SmartBro Share-It Unlimited Plan. However, unlike the SmartBro Share-It that is restricted to your area/city/province, the SmartBro Pocket WiFi has nationwide coverage.
Likewise, since this is a postpaid account, the Smart UnliSurf offers (Unlisurf200) are not applicable on this device. Not sure if this is also a Huawei device (probably a ZTE by the looks of it) but it can handle up to 5 WiFi devices at the same time.
i still love my android…hassle-free and very fast.
Twitter: Yugatech
says:
ano kayang brand nito?
anyway.. Sir Yuga.. sana ma feature nyo ang mga android phone that can be use as 3g wifi spot… :)
Twitter: rand0m_insanity
says:
@jun
Almost any Android phone can be used for that. Some though may require you to root. But for newer phones running Froyo, you can most likely do it out of the box. :)
Twitter: Yugatech
says:
talaga.. so kahit anong phone with froyo 2.2 and up.. alam ko kasi ang samsung galaxy 5 is 2.1 lang so di sya pwede?
Twitter: rand0m_insanity
says:
Pwede yun, I guess. I was using a G1 before but I was able to use wifi tethering on it. Rooted nga lang sya. Right now, I’m using a Motorola Milestone runninng 2.1 (waiting for froyo update) and wireless thethering still works great.
As far as I know, Android natively supports wifi tethering in Froyo. In older versions, usually kelangan mag root muna then install the wireless tether app. Punta ka sa xda-developers.com or google mo na lang kung pano gawin sa phone mo. In most cases, madali naman mag-root. Follow the instructions to the dot nga lang. ;)
You think it’s a good portable solution to replace SmartBro Plan 999 (canopy)? I wish to save on monthly internet bills, and I use SmartBro as backup whenever PLDT MyDSL fails.
Twitter: Boffill
says:
Sana lang malakas pumickup ng signal to. Baka mas mabagal pa to kesa sa antenna na SmartBro.
hey, did anyone of you also noticed? the yellow smiley guy at a glance seems to be giving the finger using his right hand.
The best pa rin to survey your area first, on whose got the better signal…or suffer the consequences.
According to a source, globe is not selling the prepaid mifi anymore. Postpaid nalang din daw. Tell me if I’m wrong.. I want to get one and tinker with the software.
-Sent via YugaTech Mobile App
this is the ZTE MF30 http://www.zte.com.au/telstra/MF30.htm
just tether your 3g cellphone so that your cellphone will be your wifi hotspot..
Hmm… ganda sana kaso sa total na P654.00 dapat wala ng 50hour limit ang browsing dapat fixed na yung price for the whole month.
Twitter: PhilBlogger
says:
Hi Yuga,
Nice post!
I would rather advice those who are planning to get this to opt for other ISP. Smart is always upgrading their devices like this one and they keep on acquiring more and more subscribers BUT they have forgotten to upgrade their Base Stations or Cell sites.
Their base stations are congested, besides, only the cell sites in major cities are capable of 3G/HSDPA signal.
I’ve written a review about SmartBro Plug-it which functions the same as the one you reviewed here.
Here’s my review: http://philippinealmanac.com/product-reviews/smartbro-plug-it-review/
Nice blog!
Harold
PhilippineAlmanac.com
comparing download/upload speed with smartbro plug-it device which one is faster?
actually working dito yung smart bro sim for prepaid and post paid.
:)
pag naubos na 50 hrs or if you’ll be needing to use the internet for a long time continuously then mas maganda palit muna ng sim yung pang plug it then reg mo sa unlisurf.
:)
Does it works with iphone coming from the other countries like Japan?
tried the three networks. Globe ang pinaka stable 70-130kbps plus(actual download speed with only 1-2 3g bar signal.
second para sakin ang Smart 20-50kbps plus(actual download speed)with full 3g signal bar
third syempre ang Sun. 9-12kbps actual download speed niya pag 6am to 12midnight. . pero pag mga 2AM na to 6AM sobrang bilis 150-220kbps plus ang actual download speed. with almost full 3g bar signal. but surfing is ok lang ang speed ng sun. ewan ko ba kung bakit. . . hmmm
BAGUIO AREA
3g signal lahat ng test
Twitter: Yugatech
says:
@JB openline ba sya..
[...] Smart Bro Pocket WiFi Portable 3G Router Smart now has their own version of a portable 3G+WiFi… [...]
@Cheftonio: Sorry you;re wrong, Globe sells their MyFi at both prepaid and postpaid options…Smart is the one selling only postpaid.
Completely agree with you on this, Harold. Smart is further congesting their already very poor network….
Hi Yuga,
Nice post!
I would rather advice those who are planning to get this to opt for other ISP. Smart is always upgrading their devices like this one and they keep on acquiring more and more subscribers BUT they have forgotten to upgrade their Base Stations or Cell sites.
Their base stations are congested, besides, only the cell sites in major cities are capable of 3G/HSDPA signal.
I’ve written a review about SmartBro Plug-it which functions the same as the one you reviewed here.
Here’s my review: http://philippinealmanac.com/product-reviews/smartbro-plug-it-review/
Nice blog!
Harold
PhilippineAlmanac.com
@Harold: Completely agree with you on that bro….Smart’s congesting their already congested network. They should really stop thinking about selling for once and upgrade their network first. If you know someone real interested in this device, i’ll be happy to recommend Globe’s MyFi too…much more decent speeds. Plus, everyone knows Huawei device is way better than ZTE.
saan po nakakabili nyan sa mga smart stations ba sa mga mall?
one time lang pala ang P150, next bill is only 495 kung hindi ka nagexceed ng 50hrs/month.
Device Specifications
>HSDPA/HSUPA/UMTS 850/1900/2100 MHz
>GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
>HSDPA Downlink 7.2 Mbps, Uplink 5.76 Mbps
>802.11b/g compatible with any Wi-Fi enabled device
>Compact size 99.7 x 54 x 14.9 mm
>Weight 75g
>1500mAh battery gives up to 4 hours use
>Maximum Emitted Power 2.95W/m2 in GSM 900Mhz mode.
nice parang installment.