Telecoms

Wi-Tribe doubles up bandwidth to 6GB

Abe Olandres March 16, 2010 · 1 min read

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Had a talk over the phone with one of Wi-Tribe’s representatives last Saturday and we discussed about the 3GB monthly bandwidth allocation which we reported last month.

They said that they’ve considered the merits and clarified a number of issues, including that 1am to 7am open window (which is actually still logged by at just 25% of actual usage, though I am told it’s not final/implemented yet).

Moreover, starting Monday (yesterday), they’ve already increased the monthly allocation to 6GB. However, once that allocation is used up, the accounts will still work but the speed will be adjusted down. Existing subscribers should have received notice about this by now. That allocation can/will still be adjusted in the future depending on the performance of the network and the usage of the subscribers.

They’ve added that since Wi-Tribe is still in its “soft launch” stage, they’re still figuring out a better way to provide a more, should I say, equitable and socialized internet service.

So,you guys think 6GB is enough?

React to this article:

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Abe Olandres

Editor-in-chief

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.

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170 Comments

vin1692 · 16 years ago

mga pare lumalala ung capping nila e2!!!!
mga pare lumalala ung capping nila e2!!!!
mga pare lumalala ung capping nila e2!!!!

Move Up Plan 998
Move Up Plan 998
Move Up Plan 998
Usage Speed
First 6GB up to 1 Mbps
Over 6GB to 8GB up to 512 Kbps
Over 8GB to 10GB up to 256 Kbps
Over 10GB up to 128 Kbps

Move Up Plan 1998
Move Up Plan 1998
Move Up Plan 1998
Usage Speed
First 12GB up to 2 Mbps
Over 12GB to 16GB up to 1 Mbps
Over 16GB to 20GB up to 512 Kbps
Over 20GB up to 256 Kbps

pauntiunti nila binabawasan ung bandwith

e2 link ng site ng fair usage policy
http://www.wi-tribe.ph/fair-usage-policy/

liko! · 16 years ago

isa lang masasabi ko…buysit tlga ang wi-tribe! mga walang hiya!

vince · 16 years ago

Hintayin nyo nalang ang Smart wimax. May 15 ata ang launch in selected areas.

more details here including price and speed

http://magos-biologis.blogspot.com/2010/05/smart-wimax-launches.html

vin · 16 years ago

anu ba mas mganda globe wimax o wi-tribe?

globe wimax vs wi-tribe.???
globe wimax vs wi-tribe.???
globe wimax vs wi-tribe.???
globe wimax vs wi-tribe.???

nkita ko lang na sa globe wimax walang cap
ung iba nga lng my problema sa signal.
nkita ko rin sa you tube nila na stable ung connection at ung upload speed nila mganda din talagang 1mbps.anganda pa ng modem nila may design kumpara sa modem ntin.mukang cover ng dvd.
mrun tower ng wimax globe malapit samin
syang naka witribe nako 2 years pa.

vin · 16 years ago

anu ba mas mganda globe wimax o wi-tribe?
globe wimax vs wi-tribe.???

Jason · 16 years ago

Im a witribe user for the last two and a half months already. At first, their service is OK. Simultaneous download and youtube. Capping is fine with me and also the throttling down of my speed as long as the next billing cycle, they refreshed my 6 GB cap to none and put my speed back up to 1 Mbps. The truth is, Im a casual user, I dont even max out that 6 GB monthly cap. Last friday, May 7, 2010. I called witribe to tell them about the SLOW connection, she said that Im not on the LIMIT yet meaning I should get the 1 Mbps speed. She said maybe its on their network or I have a slow browser or PC. The usual excuse. Maybe, I should have thrown out my BRAND NEW laptop because its slowing my speed. May 8, 2010. I called them back using my cellphone, 300 pesos later, “Well call you back, sir within 24 to 48 hours”. May 9, 2010. They give me a call. I said to call me back from 6 to 7 pm. Well, they never called me up again. You see, there is only one recourse for all of us to do. The contract that we signed up is for 1 Mpbs speed of internet connection to the network. If they dont deliver the goods, the contract is breached, right? We, shouldnt pay at all. Now, Im not paying them up until the goods is delivered. Sue me. Ill fight them in court.

vin · 16 years ago

??????pano po ba malalaman kung paubos na ung 6gb.????
??????pano po ba malalaman kung paubos na ung 6gb.????
??????pano po ba malalaman kung paubos na ung 6gb.????
??????pano po ba malalaman kung paubos na ung 6gb.????

mganda daw ata ung plan 1998 2mbps
12gb pag naubos bagsak sa 1mbps

wala parin ung bill namin isang buwan na mahigit.

Sam · 16 years ago

WI-TRIBE SUCKS!!! after 15 days of using it, it suddenly dropped my connection speed to 128 kbps. I called the hotline and they said that I already reached the 6GB limit. Sabi ko, WTF!, anu un? I was never informed that there was an allocated speed for internet usage. The salesman never mentioned it, the term and conditions never mentioned it. We pay 998php/month for 128 kbps? WTF di ba? The marketing style/strategy of Wi-Tribe is like a cake with poison. It’s more like a “TROJAN”.
Sasabihin nila na 4G and constant speed and then malalaman mo nlng na nareach mo ndaw ung allocated speed mo?
For those who are with teh same shoes as me, let’s file a complaint against this CRAP/JUNK at http://dtincr.ph/complaint.php

This is really psychologically getting into my nerves.!!!

humblecreature · 16 years ago

Being able to see the positive side of the issues we’re discussing here is an admirable feat. Unfortunately, the positive side is just a David to the negative Goliath that we sharers here are surmounting right now.
I personally wouldn’t mind the cap as long as they will be able to provide me at least a decent speed of say 256 to 512kbps. Am I/we are entitled to that? I think so if not then spare us from the 998 monthly.
A good question to ask is: Are we getting our money’s worth? Yes, if being NOT able to open gmail and many other sites several times using different kind of browsers is the standard.

Hayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy what a psychological turmoil!!!!

Rygel · 16 years ago

about this cap… smart, globe, and sun (i’ve used sun) all use it (they call it fair usage policy, etc.) but none of those 3 can actually tell you in black and white what ‘fair usage’ means… I’ve been at sun cellular several times asking for MEASURABLE CRITERIA so that i can monitor my usage… but after 6 months all vague replies…

my point is, at least wi-tribe tells us something concrete. 6GB is not enough, but at least it’s measureable

joop · 16 years ago

tama! wag na kayong magtry na kumuha ng bwisit na wi-tribe na yan. makukunsume lang kayo. sobrang bagal at sinungaling. tignan nyo yung link na to. http://www.intomobile.com/2010/03/24/4g-in-america-lies-lies-and-more-damn-lies.html sabi nila 4G daw technology nila. Sinungaling! wala pa palang 4G kasi pinagpipilian pa kung anong technology ang pipiliin WiMAX Release 2 o LTE-Advanced. dapat magreklamo tayo sa NTC o kaya DTI. panloloko to!

silver6688 · 16 years ago

Sa mga nagbabalak kumuha nang wi tribe mag isip isip kayo hndi lang dalawang beses kundi isang dalawang libong beses maganda lang sa simula yan kita nyo mag daan ilang linggo buti payong pagong nakakatakbo ito mas masaholo pa sa pagong kundi bulate na talaga kumilos speed ng connection nyan sayang pera sayang kuryente at sayang panahon ang hirap tawagan hotline pati,UBOD NANG SINUNGALING YANG WI TRIBE NA YAN

silver6688 · 16 years ago

Kasi nga Sinungaling Yang Wi Tribe May pa 4G pa kuno Masarap lang pakingan sa tenga kahit mag bigay 6 gig d ako naniniwala di naman ako nag dodownload bihira lang ako manood you tube at mag download file minsan lang ako gumagamit naubos 6 gig d totoo yan Speed k ngayon 14 kbps nalang hayop wi tribe nayan galit na galit ako sinungaling kasi 4G hdi 4G kundi APAT NA GAGO

silver6688 · 16 years ago

GUYS,,Wi Tribe Sucks When i first get wi tribe the speed ok after 3 weeks there speed slower than a turtle they are very very sucks internet connection my download speed is only 14kbps,they said i have 6 gig i dont think so i use all that by downloading,they are not honest wi tribe is sucker shittttttttttt,,

humblecreature · 16 years ago

nakakabaliw itong wi-tribe na ito. second week ko pa lang ubos na pala ang 6GB allocation ko. eh ang sabi naman bababa lang ang speed hindi naman sinabi na hindi na makakapag open ng ilang sites. hayyyyyyyy di na me nakakaopen ng gmail account ko using wi-tribe kaya nagprepaid sun broadband ulit me. hayyyyyyyy maayos pa ang prepaid sun dito sa las pinas hayyyyyyyy

kailan kaya magkakaroon ng matinong broadband service provider ang manila.

pangarap nalang kaya ito.

wawa naman tayo!!!!

ginta · 16 years ago

BADTRIP!!! They offer Unlimited surfing & browsing. Consistent speeds of up to 1mbps. But if you used your monthly usage allowance (6gb)your 1mbps CONSISTENT SPEED broadband connection will NOT be cut off. but they adjusted your surfing speed to below 512Kbps. BUT HOW MY CURRENT SPEED TODAY TURN TO 50kbps i already complain this to costumer service but they only offer a move more plan which is P200.00 per gigabyte or i have to wait next month to refresh my connection speed i called their agent many times but she didn’t answer her phone WHERE’S THE 1mbps CONSISTENT SPEED??? STONE AGE TRIBE

Cap · 16 years ago

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wi-Tribe-Complaints/120077124670370?ref=search&sid=100000851460469.2262440571..1 Please Join Page Community Here on FACEBOOK

darius09 · 16 years ago

i thought wi-tribe will be the answer of many subscribers from smartbro,globe,pldt and suncellular that are not satisfied with their connection..

but then, another hoax came..

typed in google search: “HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN INTERNET SERVICE”

Dan · 16 years ago

http://img15.imageshack.us/i/witribe01.jpg/

Dan · 16 years ago

Let the image do the Talking!!

http://img130.imageshack.us/i/witribe02.jpg/

Dan · 16 years ago

http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/8872/howtocomplainwitribe.jpg

Eto Yung EXAMPLES COMPLAIN NA KAYU!!

Thanks â€œYenâ€

Dan · 16 years ago

http://www.dtincr.ph/cpapp/index.php

DTI SITE

Thanks “Yen”

RuelMinds · 16 years ago

thrs a biz behind it. If you want to have move bandwidth, you can get it for P200 per Gb ;)

roville sarate · 16 years ago

Guys, Im also a victim of wi-tribe internet connection. Before i was using the sun broadband 790 per month for 512kpbs. I had a small comparison when trying to stream a video. Actually it was a lot faster when im using my sun broadband before compared to wi-tribe even if you still have not used up the 6gb cap. Their so called 1mbps is a total bs. Is there a way we could drop the contract with them with false advertising. The good thing though is that I paid additional 2500 for the modem so that my lock in period will just for 1 year. But its so irritating that they are doing this to full people. They said that after using the 6gb cap that you will be reverted to 512 but the thing is you are not really getting the 512 speed. I wish some one or we can have a protest to sue this company.

The Sith · 16 years ago

I signed up for Wi Tribe 2 days ago. I was “blinded”by the speed they offered. I was having problems with my Sun Broadband connection and thought Wi Tribe would be a breath of fresh air.

Regrettably, I am already experiencing lotsa trouble with it. First, I was told by one of the agents (booth in Mkt) that Pasay is covered but when I got home, lo and behold, i only had 1 bar of signal, and that was outside my window. It wouldn’t work anywhere in the house. Tough luck eh?

I still thought I’d give it a try. Then I found out about the cap – this was never mentioned.

This won’t work for me. Good thing I haven’t disconnected my Sun services yet. Internet/Broadband services in the Philippines have a long way to go.

rico · 16 years ago

how can i cancel my subscription to wi-tribe.
i guess i was fooled by those guys :(

Dan · 16 years ago

http://www.technobiography.com/nets-webs-infostructure/wi-tribe-wive-got-wimax-via-liberty/comment-page-1/#comment-5831

And here ive just notice that they offering right now!!!! for 2MBPS/Php 999 a Php 1 difference to 1MBPS/Php 998, bunch of cheater and liars.

Dan · 16 years ago

How is it that Wi-Tribe defender pop like mushrooms out there? anyway!!, im one of the subscriber that not satisfied to their service, we paid them to use what we expect 1 mbps and unlimited use of internet, thats what all user want High Speed Connection, and what did Wi-Tribe did!?, wait their GOOD Service, for how long???.. thats why so many user commented very negative, do you all think people waste their time just for nothing?? of course not there’s a reason for that, and that is Very SLOW like Dial-up Connection and thats Wi-Tribe.

Kevin · 16 years ago

Still, why do we need to sign up for a capped bandwidth if there are better ISPs?

We should wait for other companies that will offer better/perfect services.. It always happens..

pinoy ideas · 16 years ago

This is a totally a no-no plan. 6GB bandwidth usage will be just too small for a month.

vince · 16 years ago

Ask their agents if they are regular employees. According to the agents at the TipidPC wi-tribe thread, they are not regular employees. First they are REQUIRED to sign up for one subscription (maybe at a small discount). Then they get a few hundred pesos fee whenever they get one person to sign up.

Is that legal or the usual practice at other ISP’s. Sound like a pyramiding scheme or MLM (multi level marketing).

Since they are not regular employees dont be surprised that they dont know a lot of stuff like the fact that the 1am to 7am thing has not been started yet. Some even dont know about the cap.

Also, the Team Leaders that supervise the agents sometimes have “special” subscriptions which may be much faster than 1 mbps and may be uncapped. They also sometimes have “special” USB dongles, which is not yet available to the public which uses the big box type motorola boom modem. The bad thing is they use the “special” dongles to show falsely inflated speed tests to prospective buyers.

Again, my source for this is the tipid pc threads

tony · 16 years ago

I do digital imaging, video editing and web design… and based on their online calculator, I need an average of 30.12 GB per month. LOL….

wi-tribe = tribe of liars.

tony · 16 years ago

Hi Abe,

The whole service is a crap… first, I’m a heavy internet user and actually have 2 providers at home. The 6GB limit is too small if you’re working and doing online support. I was able to reach the limit within 8 days.

I agree with Tuldok on his statement “When I was applying for Wi-tribeâ€™s service, I was *explicitly* told about the 3GB bandwidth limit. The agent also said that bandwidth consumed from 1AM to 7AM would only be logged at 25% of the actual usage. Somehow, I feel betrayed that he didnâ€™t tell me that this feature is *NOT YET* implemented.”

Now my maximum speed is 250Kbps. So I prefer to use Sun’s USB rather than using tribe’s pathetic connection.

Have several screenshots already as proof of the poor service.

Dear friends, this will be the worst service provider you’ll get if you’re working or are usually connected to the net. But if you’re studying and just doing basic research… it’s a good one. It’s just like living in Jordan or pakistan. LOL

Anyway… they sent me an email that they may terminate the service if they feel that I’m using too much bandwidth. Duh! Who cares anyway.

Anonymouse · 16 years ago

“@sir abe,is there a bandwith cap on other ispâ€™s particularly with smart and sun broadband? tnx”

Sir I have Smart Canopy and I get 800bkps down 200kbps up = 1000kbps/1mbps

Still waiting for the upgrade in speed to 2mbps

oliverv · 16 years ago

@sir abe,is there a bandwith cap on other isp’s particularly with smart and sun broadband? tnx

Jaime Brodeth · 16 years ago

About a month ago, I was given a demo by one of Wi-Tribe’s agents. At that time, their bandwidth meter showed the following at my location near the corner of Pasong Tamo and JP Rizal:

Upload Speed: .27 mbps
Download Speed: .97 mbps

I thought that the difference between the up and down speeds were quite big, but I signed up nonetheless. The experience was better than my SMART Bro. And then I told some friends about it, and they signed up as well.

Since then, Wi-Tribe streamers and kiosks have sprouted around. This made me wonder whether they would scale their bandwidth to subscriber growth. This is the reason why I left SMART Bro, so I was concerned that I might have gone from the frying pan into the burner – might not have been fired up yet. Then my worries started to happen. While YouTube didn’t buffer when I started with Wi-Tribe, now the buffer time is worse than SMART Bro’s. The connection gets choked way too often, requiring a reset of their CPE sometimes as many as 4-5 times a day.

A minute ago, I just used their site’s bandwidth meter with the results below. Would have wanted to post a screenshot…

Upload Speed: .06 mbps
Download Speed: .27 mbps

The burner is on fire, so I emailed them about it – screenshot and all. And got a response while I was still writing this post. Here it is in to-to:

Dear Mr. Jaime,

We received your concern regarding slow connection on March 20, 2010.

We can see on your screen shot that you are experiencing a slow connection. Upon checking on your account the reason why you are experiencing a slow connection is that you already maximized your allocation. This will refreshed on your next billing cycle.

Thank you for asking us to help. We hope this is useful to you and will help enhance your online experience.

Yours always,
wi-tribe

…Wi-Tribe Customer Service is quick.

Corporal Killjoy · 16 years ago

I still say that 4G is an anti-oxidant.

How’s the Bayantel Wireless going? Does it have a cap too?

vince · 16 years ago

The fair usage policy says

“For frequent excessive high usage, we may suspend your service and/or possibly close your account”

http://www.wi-tribe.ph/fair-usage-policy/

the FUP does not specify the cap size and it doesnt specify what “frequent excessive high usage” means. How many gigs a month before the customer is labeled as an abuser and kicked out?

vince · 16 years ago

@ako

they mentioned it? where? verbal from a sales agent does not count. It has to be in writing!!

Some of the sales agents even dont know anything. some dont know about the cap. Also there was supposed to be an off peak hour, 1am to 7am. The agents ran with it, some said that any downloading/surfing during the off peak hours would not be counted. Then the agents said that any bytes downloaded during the off peak hours would be considered as one fourth of a byte added to the cap (75% discount). Later calls to the call center found out that the off peak hour is only a plan and is not implemented yet. And of course the agents didnt knw until we the users told them.

go to the tipidpc message boards (page 38-39) and there are at least 2 users who ahve confirmed the lack of any off peak hour and the 256 kbps post cap speed.

http://www.tipidpc.com/viewtopic.php?tid=172606&page=39

ako · 16 years ago

That 6GB cap is a total bullshit!
that’s not even close to 1/4 of the cap that ISPs in the US are implementing!

I know we’re not in the US, but the thing is, they are earning too much with such a lousy service!

Lem’me just mention that in the US, Comcast in particular, they have a monthly cap of a whopping 250GB for each subscriber!

Wi-Tribe mentions the thing about the 3GB or now, 6GB cap to those who are applying, so that they will have an excuse to say that, “they have mentioned it to the poor subscriber”. And will claim that they have been “transparent”.

but since they don’t put it on Paper, and even on their lousy website, It is still at their discretion as to what they will do or Implement in the future to annoy subscribers.
So, the poor Subscriber is at their Mercy!

Here in the Philippines, we just have totally PATHETIC internet service!

Martin · 16 years ago

Paging NTC.

I wonder why the NTC does not have any ruling on this caps.

Jon · 16 years ago

6GB? Still way to small. If I were you, I’d stay away from Wi-Tribe for now. Maybe until they realize that they don’t have to punish their (PAYING) subscribers for using their service fairly.

There is still no reason for me to switch to their service IMO. They are no better than any of the ISPs we have today. Not to mention their limited coverage. Right now, 4G is no better than any other connectivity technology. I hope they stop using that to bait unknowing potential subscribers.

IC DeaDPiPoL · 16 years ago

*shouts

KAHON!

Tuldok · 16 years ago

Wow, I just stumbled upon this post after commenting on the previous article about wi-tribe.

Sir Yuga is right about saying that the 1AM to 7AM window is not yet implemented. I’ve experienced it personally, since I have downloaded 3.5GB worth of game patches and windows updates yesterday on that time frame. I found out that my speed was capped 290kbps later that evening. (http://www.speedtest.net/result/750658911.png)

When I was applying for Wi-tribe’s service, I was *explicitly* told about the 3GB bandwidth limit. The agent also said that bandwidth consumed from 1AM to 7AM would only be logged at 25% of the actual usage. Somehow, I feel betrayed that he didn’t tell me that this feature is *NOT YET* implemented.

Well, the 6GB cap is still small, I hope they would increase the “fair” limit to about 10GB to 15GB. My god, we’re already in 2010…and it appears that Wi-tribe people are still stuck in the 90’s.

Also, Wi-tribe’s secrecy kinda irks me. They should be more transparent on issues like this.

Bob Reyes · 16 years ago

Perhaps, that’s the reason why they have a bandwidth calculator at their website:

http://www.wi-tribe.ph/wp-content/usagecalc/index.php

mindyQ · 16 years ago

why the secrecy? why can’t witribe publish this info on their own websites or their own print ads?

Jaypee · 16 years ago

I found an interesting article regarding 4G:
http://www.infoworld.com/d/mobilize/why-4g-wont-fix-your-mobile-woes-297

Any insights with regard to that article?

Paquito Diaz · 16 years ago

Happy April fool’s day!

‘Wi-Tribe doubles up bandwidth to 6GB’

a more accurate title would be to double the allocated data at the same bandwidth of 1Mbps

laptoper · 16 years ago

For me 6GB is still not enough, they are on the right track but not yet there.

vince · 16 years ago

You guys should read the tipidpc and pinoydls wi-tribe thread. see links below

http://www.tipidpc.com/viewtopic.php?tid=172606

http://www.pinoydsl.net/viewtopic.php?p=322609#322609

There have been various claims, all of them are IMHO hearsay because there’s nothing on the official wi tribe website:

* cap increase from 3 to 6 gig (IMHO this is still ridiculously small) will start april 1
* pre cap speed increased to up to 3 mbps
* post cap speed increased from 256 to 768 kbps
* usb dongle type modem is available

The cap is bad enought but what i really dont like about this ISP is its uber secrecy. No where on the website is the cap or the mentioned. And one poster on the TPC website (see link above page 35) claims that he talked to 15 agents pretending to be an interested customer and all the agents did not know anything about a cap.

With this ISP’s record of secrecy and its badmouthing of the customers (abuser daw kami ha??) I would not trust anything said by this ISP unless it was signed on paper.