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Why do Filipinos still think 3G is expensive?

Even today, I still hear a lot of people saying or commenting hat 3G internet in the Philippines is still expensive. Yeah, it’s not that very cheap but I don’t think it’s expensive either.

Let’s skip comparing our local 3G internet rates to the rates in other countries and look at some domestic parallels.

Let’s look at Netopia, the most popular internet cafe chains in the country, and see how much they charge for rentals. Members get a discounted rate of about Php30 while non-members pay Php45, right? (or is it higher)

Regular internet shops (the mom-and-pop’s type at the street corner) charges Php20 for gaming and Php25 for surfing.

Pay-for-access WiFi Zones provided by Airborne Access and Globe WiZ charges Php100 per hour.

If we compare 3G internet at Php20 per hour, it’s not that bad. Actually, if you compare it to the examples above, it’s the cheapest. So, why there’s still the perception that 3G is expensive?

  • The WAP-era trauma. About half a decade ago, when WAP was first introduced, they cost an arm and a leg. I remember viewing my blog over WAP and posting a comment back then — those 3 page loads costs me Php100!
  • Reliability. If you surf on a net cafe, you’re pretty much sure you’d get a good if not fast internet speed. Over 3G, it’s a hit and miss.
  • Over-charging nightmares. Either your prepaid loads get drained up real fast or your postpaid bill is thru the roof — any one of these incidents could happen to you.
  • Coverage. Even if you’re subscribed on 3G, there’s no telling if your area is covered only by GPRS or EDGE.

The only compelling reason why I think 3G is cheap for me is because of mobility. Maybe someday, we’ll have an alternative option with mobile WiMax.

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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.

52 Responses

  1. Avatar for Daryll Daryll says:

    sana ginawa mo nalang why do SOME filipinos. wala ka din naman kinuhanan ng data. may survey ka bang ginawa?

    this blogger is a dumb@ass.
    poorly research post.

  2. Avatar for jose jose says:

    Only my last recourse.
    They have a long way to go.
    Telcos should address intermittent and dropped
    connections to make it more marketable.

  3. Avatar for iMadrid iMadrid says:

    3G here is expensive coz Telco’s are over-promising and under-delivering.

    If they just divert half of their advertising expenses into improving their netwoks. AND offer Unlimited Data plans even on prepaid phones.

    More people would use it and find value from it.

    But Telco’s would prefer to meter it and overcharge you. In other words SCREW YOU! We just want your money. We rather pay your idols for endorsements. Than provide you with better service.

  4. Avatar for manong manong says:

    EDGE can carry data speeds up to 236.8 kbit/s (with end-to-end latency of less than 150 ms) for 4 timeslots (theoretical maximum is 473.6 kbit/s for 8 timeslots) in packet mode. This means it can handle four times as much traffic as standard GPRS. EDGE meets the International Telecommunications Union’s requirement for a 3G network, and has been accepted by the ITU as part of the IMT-2000 family of 3G standards. It also enhances the circuit data mode called HSCSD, increasing the data rate of this service. EDGE is part of ITU’s 3G definition and is considered a 3G radio technology — wikipedia

    Malamang 80-90% sa MM, EDGE lang ang 3G

  5. Avatar for Abe Olandres Abe Olandres says:

    @israel – you don’t need a laptop to use 3G. You only need a 3G capable phone.

  6. Avatar for Israel Nicolas Israel Nicolas says:

    ….. those who say that 3G is expensive take into account the lifestyle choices they make on a daily basis. Sure, on a nominal peso rate 3G is on par with internet cafes, and definitely cheaper than paid Wifi. But as a user, I find using 3G only when there is no Wifi, which is rare in places where I use my laptop (libraries, coffee shops, malls).

  7. Avatar for Israel Nicolas Israel Nicolas says:

    I think we are missing the point. It’s not because 3G is not cheap. It is because in order to have 3G, you need to have a laptop (and use it regularly) – this also means there should be a reason for the user to use it regularly. What is the percentage among online/gaming Filipinos that own a laptop?

    The article has a wrong premise. If I own a laptop, I do not think I will go to Netopia to surf the net lol! But you need to have a laptop first to consider 3G.

  8. Avatar for August August says:

    @ Jill

    wow, i really thought you were serious with the last part. whew!

    it should not even be called 3G if the speed limit is just at EDGE’s or GPRS’ rate. how could both smart and globe sell their devices when 3G isn’t available nationwide. oh it can go as fast as 2mbps! yes that part! very misleading indeed. someone would think that it runs at 2mbps when they made it clear that it can go as high as that when you are not looking.

    at least sun cellular pointed out that 3G service is only available in metro manila at the moment.

    shame on you GLOBE and SMART!!! shame on you!

  9. Avatar for Jill Jill says:

    Last part written in jest. Focus on productivity, folks!

  10. Avatar for Jill Jill says:

    Internet access through 3G is a good thing, the down side being its limited availability and slow speed. This issue on speed is what makes it “expensive” in the long run. Only when the providers address these issues could we say “praise be the 3G”. It’s been a while since we have this service, but it’s clear the telcos have not done any “addressing” to that effect. Or have I missed it? Don’t they know that when a consumer pays for something, he/she wants it N-O-W? After all, they are so quick to demand the “NOW” part when they send us the bill.

    Product superlatives from the telcos notwithstanding, 3G in this country as of now is next to worthless.

    In the meantime, lug that laptop to a wifi hotspot and do your browsing, or work your office computer to the bone for your http://www’s. After office hours when the boss is gone, of course. LOL!

  11. Avatar for drealmarlon drealmarlon says:

    Im using sun broadband wireless Php799 unlimited and i think the price is fair enough.Im very thanks that the ordinary people like me have a chance to get this technology even though there is a crisis here in our country.Sana lng palakihin pa nila yung network kasi dumadami na yung mga subcribers para hindi nagkakaroon ng bad service.

  12. Avatar for Tyrone | Millionaire Acts Tyrone | Millionaire Acts says:

    I think that 3G is expensive IF and ONLY IF the connection is slow and you are on “time charge”. I am a user of Globe Tatoo Kit and I used my postpaid sim in accessing internet. Yes, it is cheap that you have a wireless internet on the go for just P20 per hour. BUT sometimes, the connection is too slow that dial up connection is faster. In that case, definitely, 3G is expensive. I hope the telecom companies should continuously upgrade their facilities.

  13. Avatar for leo leo says:

    the biggest single issue of slow 3g adaptability is the very unreliable “service”. fix this service and everything/everyone will follow.

  14. Avatar for Edgar Edgar says:

    Availability is my issue here, being in an area where 3G is not available. Only get to use it when there’s a connection. I don’t find this service expensive, though.

  15. Avatar for John Alvero John Alvero says:

    Some ideas for people to adopt 3G.

    1. Improve speed and reliability
    2. If prices can still be lowered, better
    3. Improve coverage
    4. Information dissemination

    With those four, i think in 2 or 3 years time. There will be a large 3G adoption here in the Philippines.

    Cheers.

  16. Avatar for Stefan Stefan says:

    Filipinos are not yet well informed when it comes to 3G technology…

  17. Avatar for gio gio says:

    3G here in Philippines sucks.

  18. Avatar for Nivla Nivla says:

    Im using unlimited 3G mobile prepaid internet here in Germany for roughly PHP1600 plus per month, the connection is always very good. At home im using smart 3G mobile and in my area its 3G connection but the speed is very disappointing. WE are just paying for a “nice promise” from internet providers. That makes the 3G expensive in the Philippines.

  19. Avatar for sky sky says:

    free wifi is practically easy to get by these days. schools, malls, resto’s, even fast food chains would provide free wifi to their customers.

    and yes, 3G reception can still be rather spotty. depends on where you live or travel to/from.

  20. Avatar for sting6ph sting6ph says:

    Hi Abe,

    I don’t think it’s expensive either. But your final statements have made the argument about the price of 3G tells exactly why people don’t like paying for 3G (unless unlimited):

    “The only compelling reason why I think 3G is cheap for me is because of mobility.”

    3G for both networks (Sun doesn’t have it here in Iloilo) is highly unreliable. The only way to have a reliable connection is to pay for the PHP999 a month and its not mobile. The unlimited mobile 1,500 has never given me any decent 3G connection. Out of the need to have consistent internet, I stayed to what I have: a crumpy GPRS here in my small town.

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