So I bought the Smart Bro Rocket at Smart’s Wireless Center in Rockwell this morning. They made me sign a waiver that outlines some of the limitations of the dongle and the service. So, here are 10 things you need to know before buying the Smart Bro Rocket.
Some Wireless Centers are still a bit confused with the Smart Bro Rocket so you will have to ask and explain that it’s the new one with 12Mbps. The guard and front customer service both didn’t knew about it but I insisted and the other one in the activation desk confirmed.
1.) The kit comes with Php20 free load and a SIM card. You can use the regular Smart Bro load card to top up.
2.) The internet rate for the Smart Bro Rocket is pegged at Php10 per 30 minutes.
3.) The current rate is just a promo rate and effective until September 30, 2011. After that, Smart will shift to Volume Packages for the mobile internet rate.
4.) Users can subscribe to the Always On plans (see here).
5.) You are not allowed to use UnliSurf50, UnliSurf100 or UnliSurf200 on the account (contrary to my earlier confirmation with Smart’s PR that it can be used for UnliSurf). Update: Note though that I was still able to register to UnliSurf despite this restriction.
6.) Default charging will revert to Php200 per 180MB after September 30, 2011.
7.) When you are out of the HSPA+ coverage, the promised internet speed is up to 3.6Mbps (same as the Power Plug-It).
8.)When you buy the Smart Bro Rocket, you sign a waiver and release that you “given up future legal rights against any misunderstanding about the limitations of the device and the HSPA+ network”.
9.) If an HSPA+ network is not detected, you switch back to HSPA or 3G.
10.) You acknowledge that even if the service offers up to 12Mbps, the minimum speed can be between 12-48kbps.
Will go around and test this device from a number of locations and share with you the speed tests I’ll get. Let’s see if this baby can get to what Smart promised.
Location: House near SM Southmall
7.22mbps / 932.214KB/sec using download manager
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v510/carloabalos/myrocket.jpg
Just bought a Smart Rocket unit at SMART-MOA. The waiver is really true; you need to sign one. I can’t immediately use it though on my Mac; need to download a software update (Java for Mac OSX 10.7something).
Another thing that bugs me, aside from the data cap is the no unlimited internet access for the Rocket.
Query: Is there a possible bypass to the no unlimited internet? Like, activating unlimited internet using the sim of the Smart Rocket but using a regular SmartBro usb stick.
I read the earlier replies. It is possible to bypass restrictions on unlisurf.
I just checked their website(SmartBro) and found out that they reduce the maximum speed of SmartBro Canopy from 2Mbps to 1mbps.. tsk tsk .. just renewed my contract..
i don’t understand why Smart won’t just improve their network and deliver consistent 2MBPS speed? hindi naman tlaga kelangan ang 12MBPS if you are getting 2MBPS as regular connection.
Default charging will revert to Php200 per 180MB after September 30, 2011
Sir Abe can you confirm it is MB and not Mb as the cost for MB does not seem that bad (1440Mb)
Guys its openline as yuga have said and tested it with globe. Gonna try it also with sun and subscribe with unlisurf 100 for 3 days.
what speeds are you getting when on unlisurf?
@ anarki, it depends on my location the fastest speed iv encounter so far was 4-5 mbps at makati area near j.p. rizal , i guess its really area dependent, the slowest speed iv encounter was 300-500kbps at libis, pasig rosario 200-300kbps, u can visit smart bro for the list of hspa area in metro manila.
wag kayong bibili nito pag wala kayong HSPA+ signal swerte lang meron sa amin ang burst speed na reach ko 6.5mbs… sulit kung unli hehehe
What a rip off…Can we send this to consumer watchers or to somebody in legislation and complain that they are promising to deliver a good or service for this amount but can’t be held liable if the goods delivered or the service is bad…
hey guys do you think the state of internet technology in the Phillippines is moving forward or backward? It appears backward. One year has passed and there is no decent internet speed. Worst it is now metered per megabyte. What Smart is doing is restrictive to growth. Something is fishy. Looks like our president sold us to the devil.
Sir abe pwede rin ung smartbro simcard na luma ilagay sa huawei e353? mag hspa+ parin?
that’s a very SMART move to rob uninformed buyers. tsk tsk tsk
Marketing Strategy talaga ng Smart ito. They are just testing us consumers. I think their plug it prepaid sales got low specially with only 2mbps speed, that is why they are releasing the new Smart Rocket which also a Huawei device made in china which offer a faster speed.
Pros of Smart Rocket Prepaid Braodband
You can surf the net up to 12mbps* (This is area dependent). As of now I tried using it at the following areas like Ortigas Building 2-4mbps, Makati area near Rockwell 1.5-2mbps, Pasig area near Rosario 1Mbps. I haven’t gotten the speed of 12mbps but il update you guys if i do.
You can still subscribe for the unlisurf 50/100/200. I myself already tested it and subscribed into 5 days unlisurf.
Easy to install, just follow the simple steps.
Cons
Very expensive for a price of 3,995, instead it should be a reasonable price of 1,500-2,000 only.
Speed is area dependent where HSPA is available. The higher your area are(e.q.building, 2-5 storey house) the better the coverage and speed.
By September 30,2011, unlisurf will no longer be available, that is if Smart really discontinue this kind of service.
No money back guarantee (if your not satisfied with the product particularly with its speed, you agree with their terms that you cannot return it.
Smart Bro “Raket”
Tsk… tsk… tsk…
LOL. Sakto. Tama, “raket” lang to ng SmartBro. Having read this post, it seems like you just can’t complain to Smart anymore once you get a slow connection. No way I’m signing up for this gimmick a.k.a “raket”.
That’s why Fixed Wireless Broadband are better than dongle broadband! :-)
that’s manipul… err marketing
@sir abe
what speeds are you getting when on unlisurf?
power plug-it speed po ba?
mabilis talaga ito kase halos walang bibili. actually di eto rin yung dati. Natanggalan lang ng subscribers kaya bumilis.
10.) You acknowledge that even if the service offers up to 12Mbps, the minimum speed can be between 12-48kbps.
what?!!! @nearly 4k a dongle? no way!!!
6.) Default charging will revert to Php200 per 180MB after September 30, 2011.
expensive!
Give this as a gift to Enrile, then if his load “gets eaten up” again, maybe the “law” could put some pressure on the operators to stop screwing with the consumers with such waivers and restrictive terms. These should go both ways, if the consumers are not getting the promised service in return, we shouldn’t have to pay them to discontinue the service.
Ridiculous terms,,, Jeez, what’s happened to philippines?
Nakikita ko na ang future nito,,, FLOP… Unless they retain their present scheme…