fbpx

Why telcos prefer time-based charging on 3G?

If you survey various telcos around the globe, you will notice that all of them offer packet-based charging for 3G or Ev-DO. Only in the Philippines you’d get time-based charging. And the reason why?

A telco executive once told me most Filipinos do not understand packet charging or related terms such as bandwidth, KB, megabyte or gigabyte. Time-based charging is more understandable since it’s the same way as using net cafes or dial-up internet at home.

Yugatech 728x90 Reno7 Series

When GRPS and WAP services was first introduced years ago, they were offered at packet-based charging. People didn’t like it because they don’t want to be surprised how much their bill would end up after connecting to the net.

When I first tried GPRS back in 2003, I tried visiting my blog, left a comment and logged out. That 3 page visits I made cost me about Php100 on my prepaid account. I never tried it again.

The other week, when I went to an overnight trip to Singapore, I used my XPeria X1 tethered to my MSI Wind to go online. SingTel 3G charging was on per KB so I was careful not to visit heavy sites or download anything. Had they been doing time-based charging, I would have easily managed my connection time.

In hindsight, I thought we’re much fortunate to be able to choose between packet-based and time-based charging when running on 3G (at least for Globe Telecom). Besides, Smart Bro’s Php1,500 Unlimited offer is already a good bargain.

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 976 other subscribers
Avatar for Abe Olandres

Abe is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of YugaTech with over 20 years of experience in the technology industry. He is one of the pioneers of blogging in the country and considered by many as the Father of Tech Blogging in the Philippines. He is also a technology consultant, a tech columnist with several national publications, resource speaker and mentor/advisor to several start-up companies.

33 Responses

  1. Avatar for Nytrain Nytrain says:

    Your stupid dude edz. May problema nga ang mga network pero hindi hacker smacke slacker o whatever. Problema nila yung system nila. Hindi polido. Kaya yari na kayo nyan mga ungas.

  2. Avatar for Tangnam0 Tangnam0 says:

    Hindi si akai yan. Ginamit lang ni boy sumbong pangalan nya. Tanga ba si akai para ilaglag sarili nya? Sarap ng free internet. Pustahan, nakiki ubt rin mga sumbungero dito. Pweh!

  3. Avatar for Reborn Reborn says:

    Gago..yan akai na yan moderator ka pa nman..cguro pnatalsik ka ng mga kagrupo mu kaya gumagawa ka ng ingay.. Gung2x.. Madame kaya yan namod na application 4 UFBT….gago

  4. Avatar for Reborn Reborn says:

    Gago..yan akai na yan moderator ka pa nman..cguro pnatalsik klang sa mga grupo mu kaya gumagawa ka ng ingay.. Gung2x.. Madame ka pa naman namod na application 4 UFBT

  5. Avatar for AntiPEONS AntiPEONS says:

    Hindi ka lang kasi marunong. Turuan kita, gusto mo?

  6. Avatar for Anonymous Anonymous says:

    freedom of speech ka diyan. ayan ang tinatawag na abuse ng freedom na iyan. remember even if you COULD doesn’t mean that you SHOULD!

  7. Avatar for FBT FBT says:

    putang ina mo! Edzhstar

  8. Avatar for R.I.P edhstar R.I.P edhstar says:

    hay! well kaya lang sinabi yan para gumawa ng pangalan. tang ina mo pagkatapos mong pinakinabangan magiingay k n?. isa kang walang kwentang bobong nilalang..sana nkapag-isip isip ka muna bago ka nagi-ingay kung meron ka mang ganun..

  9. Avatar for Gag0 ka edhstar Gag0 ka edhstar says:

    Gago k@ edstar! Pasikat ka lang! Fbt me nw! Wala kang kwenta! Pg nawala ubt to all networks kaw lagut. May pic k p nmn. Pa hunt kita militar sa luisita.

  10. Avatar for Anti edzhstar Anti edzhstar says:

    Bubo ka b edzhstar? Free na kaya net ng globe sa phone.. Kupal nagpasabog ka pa d2 wala naman kwenta..

  11. Avatar for Anti edzhstar Anti edzhstar says:

    Gagew ka! Putang ina m0 ang ingay mo.. 3310 kC phone nya kaya d xa mkapasok sa fbt ng smart/globe..
    Pobre wala pang pangrent ng computer kaya d mkareply.. Sa dec. 25 pa reply nyan pag nkahingi na ng aginaldo sa mga ninong/ninang nya. Nice pic ha? Kawawa hinahunting ka na ng mga fbt lover

  12. Avatar for em0t em0t says:

    hindi.kaya nag-iingay yan kasi frustrated yan.alam nga niya di naman niya mapagana.tang-ina niyang edstar.puta ka.

  13. Avatar for UBT.FBT addict UBT.FBT addict says:

    exactly! if i know nag FBT/UBT din yan

Leave a Reply
JOIN OUR TELEGRAM DISCUSSION

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *