17Mar 2007

Globelines Broadband Budget Bundles, Smart Bro and PLDT DSL

(Read my Review of Globe Broadband, PLDT Mydsl, Smart Bro and Smart 3g)

writing desk The house is clean and sanitized, the air smells of paint, the pocket garden looks refreshing as I am sitting here beside my antique writing table, trying to catch up with my backlog in work . Thanks to the [tag]Philippines Cable Internet Providers[/tag], installation was fast . I always imagined that installation would take months. I remember moving in to Pasig in 1980 and I got my landline in 1984. But take a look at this. If you move to a new home (well at least in Pasig City where I am moving), you can have an internet connection the following day after payment. This is my experience.

1. Smart Bro- I paid 999 pesos for a 384 kpbs connection on March 2. An hour later, they called me to schedule the installation the following day. That’s pretty quick, huh? Smart Bro has this ongoing promotion where you get free installation for new applications if you apply within the month of March. It didn’t make sense to continue with my existing contract because I would have to pay 1600 pesos for the transfer. Might as well get locked in for a one year period. Besides, my cousins in my new neighborhood swear that Smart Bro connection is pretty reliable.

2. Globelines Broadband Budget Bundles – I called Globelines to send me an application form to my house. Since I wasn’t there yet, she dropped it with the caretaker. After I signed the form , the agent came back and processed my application form. A week later, I got my phone line and my 1 MBPS internet connection which came with a prolink modem and wi-fi bundle. So here I am enjoying a 1 MBPS wifi connection goodness. This budget bundle costs only 1450 pesos a month. I don’t know how long the free landline use lasts.

3. PLDT MyDSL- Knowing PLDT was going to take longer, I applied for a telephone line and DSL on February 19. Three weeks later, I got a call that I needed to pay something at the PLDT office . Take note: Globelines and Smart Bro were already in place at my new home. I have yet to go to the PLDT office and have my application processed but I already got my new landline number. I applied for their 784 kbps bundle. The only promo they have is 100 pesos off the landline and DSL monthly fee or a savings of 200 pesos. I will end up paying 1520 pesos a month, I think?

So there, I have three internet service providers . Why three?

I need redundancy in my internet connection for my business. I will miss my 8 year old ISP, Destiny Cable. I remember I was one of the first Makati City residents to enjoy 1.6 Mbps cable broadband in 1999 for 1,988.00 pesos (it went down to 1,688 three years ago) which included a TV cable connection. Unfortunately, they do not provide internet cable facilities in my area. I hope these newer internet cable providers can emulate the same service I received from Destiny Cable. Take for example, Globelines Broadband … they had some server problems. I know problems can never be avoided. Three days later, I still couldn’t reach their main trunkline 9198888. I was able to reach them yesterday after waiting on the phone patiently for 30 minutes.

They could have some text support like Destiny Cable so their staff can call back when their lines are free. I remember SMART Bro’s service when it was still new and crappy. They have improved a lot since then after getting so much flak from irate SMART Bro subscribers.

Oh well…I ‘m just happy everything is in place now as I move in tomorrow.

May 24, 2008 – updated review

September 30, 2007- Added a Review of Globelines Broadband Budget Bundles, Smart Bro and PLDT MyDSL

December 13, 2007- added a Speed test of Globe Broadband, Smart 3g, Smart Bro and PLDT My dsl

Posted in: Shopping, Technology

About Noemi Lardizabal-Dado

Noemi, Editor of Blog Watch and features editor of Philippine Online Chronicles is a 55 year old mother to three kids and is married to Atty. Luis H. Dado. She loves being a full time mother and homemaker after retiring as a Researcher/Consultant from the UP Institute for Small Scale Industries in 1987. Now that her children are all college graduates, she devotes her time to grief support, blogging, new media events and using her blogs to promote online advocacies. Her personal blog is at aboutmyrecovery.com, which garnered numerous awards such as Best Website, Blog Category during the 9th and 10th Philippine Web Awards. Her blog also won in the Blog- Personal Category of the DigitalFilipino.com Web Awards 2007 and Globelines Broadband Family Blog Award (in honor of family-oriented blogging) 2007 Philippine Blog Award. Globe also recognized her as Digital Elder in the 2009 Philippine Blog Award.

View all posts by Noemi Lardizabal-Dado →

http://jrocas.com.ph jhay

Wow, three internet providers at home. I could barely keep up with the bills of my globelines broadband. Then again I am still a student so it would be normal.
http://alfamercado.com/blog Alfa

Hi Noemi,

Ever tried PLDT weroam?
http://ode2old.blogspot.com annamanila

High tech na talaga si Noems … to need three ISPs. But it’s because you have an IT business, di ba? With server and all.
http://atrumveneficus.com Carlo

Hi Noemi, hope your Globelines Broadband connection won’t be a problem. Not that I am saying it’s crappy huh Well if problem arises and you need to contact their Tech Support, just text me, I will give you direct number. Hehe.. It’s really hard to get through their support hotline. You will spend more than 30 minutes on hold and if you’re lucky, you’ll get a representative but most of the time the IVR will kick you off
http://aboutmyrecovery.com Noemi

@jhay- the business pays for it

@Alfa- haven’t tried but heard it’s slow. I tested Globe’s Visibility and I think I will get that

@Annamanila- yup business reasons

@Carlo- hehe I will text you if I can’t get to their support hotline. sobra. It took me three days.
http://www.janep.org AJ

we’ll just await your reviews for these 3 service providers.
http://artworks101.blogspot.com L.A

Wow! 3 ISP at the same time? You really must have used the INTERNET a lot I mean big time. Am only using Smart Bro here in our home
lemon

Hi Noemi,

Is this for real? Our pldt landline application has been pending for 3 years already.sigh.
http://aboutmyrecovery.com Noemi

@AJ- so far Globelines Broadband and Smart Bro are doing well

@LA- Yes I need it a lot for business

@Lemon- talaga. That’s terrible. I got my number in less than a month after application. Maybe there are really no lines available.
http://aczafra.com arnold

How’s the performance of SmartBro?
I’m also scouting for ISP as I am moving to my new house next week. If I get PLDT myDSL matagal pala.

Looks like I have to go for Smartbro muna, minus the landline.
http://aboutmyrecovery.com Noemi

@arnold- in pasig area, the Smart Bro connection is reliable and true to its 384 kbps promise. PLDT Mydsl gave me a reply in 3 weeks. After payment, it will take another week for the installation. It’s longer process than Smart Bro. Take advantage of their free installation which lasts end of march.
http://www.mabutingbalita.net jun

how about Bayantel? They have a promo until May 1 and they do offer rebates… and u just add 99 pesos for wi-fi (they say you can connect to 500 hotspots)

HAve been contemplating on getting a cheap 3g phone and use that for smart 3g internet on my ibook… gagawin ko lang modem to connect. my friend say sony ericsson 608i (i think) is around 6k in greenhills.. and rates for smart’s 3g internet are at 60/hour.

now, to find the budget =)
MT

I already have PLDT myDSL but the service is very poor in my area – frequent disconnections and will take 3 to 5 days to be reconnected. I am planning to get another ISP which is Globe. Noemi, please update me regarding the performance of Globelines Broadband up to this time. Thanks in advance.
http://aboutmyrecovery.com Noemi

@jun- bayantel is not offered in Pasig. They were the first I called. Ifever I need a roaming broadband, I’d choose Visibility because it’s really fast. I was able to test it ou

@MT- so far Globelines broadband is okay. but it’s hard to tell since I have only used it for 2 weeks. Maybe in 6 months, I will give a report. So far, Globeline broadband has been giving me the promised 1 mbps most of the time.
fritz

Hi! i’m applying for globelines broadband budget bundle P995. as a new subscriber, what should i know and take note about globe’s broadband, do you frequently exprience problems…?
carol

How is the Globe Broadband services compared with Smart Bro? We don’t have DSL yet in our area (in Muntinlupa) and I was actually thinking of choosing with Smart or Globe. Which do you recommend? Thanks.
abet delgado

i am planning to open an internet cafe. could you please advise how much do i have to spend for a connection if i use globelines broadband connection.

please advise,

adel
Angelo

We have PLDT DSL and the connection has been up and down the past week (mostly down). My wife and I depend on our internet connection to communicate with each other and it’s very important for us. PLDT’s helpline has not been helpful at all and unable to give us any status on the problem that they are having in our area (Las Pinas). They said it was a nationwide problem at first, but it’s been more than a week now…
marlyn

hi, i am planning to have an internet at home but my problem is we don’t have a landline phone yet in our place.(San Leon,Balungao Pangasinan 2442).could you help me what to do.What is globe broadband services? how much do i have to pay?

please advise,
len
yhano

recently i also applied to mydsl and unfortunately they told us that dsl is not yet available in our area (SAV 5, sucat, pque). but they recommended us to use smart bro thus its their twin internet service provider. im also thinking applying to globe broadband and well, idk if which those two are better regarding their 1k/month plans. which of these two broadband will you recommend for me regarding also our area? and this sept are they still offering promos or free installations? if not how much is the installation for smart or globe broadband?
brent

yhano: globe broadband is ok.
http://fictionaltv.blogspot.com jo

Hello Noemi,
I was researching which ISP is the best in the Philippines, when I came across your lovely blog. Mind telling me (or us) which ISP is the best among the three? Your reply will be much appreciated. Thank you.
jack

Hi Noemi

hows your connections? i have a pending myDSL application (i already have PLDT landline) and its been 4weeks now and they haven’t call me for ANY updates if they have this so called “port facility” available in my area (i’m located in Pasig City, C. raymundo Ave.). I also called myDestiny cable internet and unfortunately the “nearest facility” for cable internet is like 1Kilometer away from my home and they told me its not possible. Hows your SmartBro? I’m thinking of getting it, I just don’t know if it will hold a connection for VoIP calls ( need it for comm with my wife). what do you think?
http://aboutmyrecovery.com Noemi

To everyone who asked about my connection- here is my review

Review of Globe Broadband, Smart Bro and Pldt Mydsl

Speed test of Globe Broadband, Smart 3g, Smart Bro and PLDT My dsl
esbaga

can i get the contact numbers of the internet providers
Sven Godstrength

For me the net that im using right now is taelines broad band, and taelines is definetly fast. its really stabled and has good customer helpers. its 1 kbps speed is really superb. you can view/watch your favorite porn site in an instant, for only 100k a week and a connection for 5 years you can already enjoy the taelines broadband… so what are you waiting for grab your titi and dial 010 and contact them right now.. i know u dont wanna be left down by other peoples using taelines so start subscribing now.
-pakyo
Elmer

Hello Noime,
My smartbro connection is just 3weeks old.But i just enjoyed a 10-day fast connection,after that until now my connection is slower than dial-up.I have read other blogs of people who is disgusted and victimized by smartbro’s promise of a 7 times fast than dial-up connection.Check out the site THE SMART WIFI CHRONICLES,and you’ll read all those complaints.
domoradz

Globelines Broadband is a scam!!! Letting us customers experience their 7-day trial period of real broadband speed then they will tie us in their 1yr bond then after that the HELL ON EARTH of internet begins.

I am experiencing problems with globelines broadband… I subscribed to their 512kbps wireless broadband package with wireless phone (PHP1295/mo.)… they gave me 7 days trial period and within that trial period I was amazed with the speed… pumapalo from 700+ kbps to 1+ mb… kaya pina-activate ko kaagad. Pero eto na ang kalbaryo… right after the 7-day trial period nagsimula nang maging intermitent ang connection speed nila either super bagal (I even got 5bps or lower!!!) o totally walang connection. Lagi ako nagrereklamo sa CS nila pero wala naman sila ginawa kundi palitan yung modem na wala naman nagbago ganon pa din naman problema. My work is related to IT and I know that there is no problem at my side (hardware, softwares, cabling, etc…). Kakainis na talaga ang service ng globelines… feeling ko naloko lang ako kase nakatali ako ngayon sa kanila for 1yr dahil sa 1yr bond na kasama sa package. Tanong ko lang guys… meron ba tayong pwedeng magawang aksyon para maipaabot sa mga kinauukulan ang panlolokong ginagawa ng globelines satin?
neil

i totally agree with domoradz. globelines broadband is slow. i had mine since november 2007 and i never got to experience a good broadband speed. i would call their technical support office every time i would open my computer and internet but no one from their end seem to care. laging merong explanation that they are already doing something about it or an upgrade in system is on-going. globe broadband is simply SLOW.
sheena

Hi guys, I think I need help badly.. advise perhaps. (?)

I’ve been using my N70 to serve as a modem for my laptop for months now, but my hub went crazy and I need to try these “faster than dial-up” stuff. I am from LB, Laguna and I went to PLDT but I think it’s too heavy in the pocket for they have this PLDT + landline 1 mbps but you need to avail a modem (P1,200) and 1,700/month with 2 months advance.. That’s about P4,600 for availing their service. (ouch!) then, there’s this cable connection here, offering 310 kbps for 880 (no installation fee whatsoever plus the modem is free).

Hence, one of the rooms in the apartment has SmartBro but their supposedly 384 kpbs/999 a month has been screwing giving them a range of 100-150 kbps (not so exact about this though) almost all of the time. Geez, am really confused with this. I’m thinking of risking with the CCTV kwiknet connection but am quite hesitant with all the comments i’ve just scoured on this blog. Please advise me as I desperately need it.

As for Globelines, there appears to be no office here. (darn it!)

Thanks mucheeze..
pajero_lady2003

im planning to change my subscriber from bayantel to globelines sana due to the free laptop lng + landline ang cheap noh at P1499….tlga bang mabagal ang connection nla khit na anng palit nila ng modem kc 2yrs contract yun…tlgang ba kalbaryo lng..
Globe is a big NO NO

Tangina naman, pagnagdodownload aq laging nadidisconect, minsan nga 99% na ung download q tapos biglang madidisconect, 1 1/2 hour qng hinintay tapos disconect, PUTANG INA cno ba naman ang di magagalit nun, pati streaming videos di q na ginagawa, nayayamot lng aq, lalo n pag online gaming, nung 2006 p daw 2ng gani2 eh, ang hirap p n2 may bago clang commericial, ung plan 595 b un, putang ina ang kakapal ng mukha, mabankrupt sna ang globe
ken

i just had a 3mb line installed in bacolod middle of may 2008, getting speeds of 300kb down 100kb up so no where near what i am paying for, globelines said it would be fixed in a week or 2 but been more than 2 weeks and not fixed. I believe globeline’s sells high speed lines that they dont have. How long have they been selling broadband that they dont have? who knows, i know i haven’t seen what i paid them for yet. Talking to customer service gets the standard working on it, will be fixed in a week or 2. I have a feeling they are selling high speed connections that they know they are not capable of providing any longer.
VON

Noemi thanks for the ISP review , it helps me alot. I’m currently a PLDT DSL Subscriber, my connecttion this past 2weeks is worst. Always disconnected and slow connectivity. Im planing to change my ISP to Globe Broadband. Thank you veru much ^_^
http://yahoo lito

guys,
relax, ihave my globe broadband since 2006 no problem i use it for my internet cafe until now. my location is Biliran leyte. why u people there in Luzon is not very lucky you are already near the HQ of this company.
http://google Sonny

Well it’s nice to read other people have problems to. Try living in Bohol Smart and Globe are so poor the can’t send the service 3km out of Tagabilaran City. I had smart bro installed it only worked from time to time not excepable the manager and staff are brainwashed into thinking it works. LOL
Harry

@ Lito,

I am from Abuyog and our BayanTel DSL is really bad. Planning to replace my current DSL with Bayan, may I know if you are using Globe wired or wireless broadband?
jovenhats_jr

hi there guys!
i have a connection by DSL here in Cebu ,,,,it’s 222 kbps and a download of 27.75 per sec.according to PLDT Play…so far it’s doing fine only one time it was disconnected so i called their support there in Mla….so far they very cordial and helpful …. I am thingking that you’re well off there for you’re at the source what’s wrong is the big question…i think it’s time for the IT big thinkers to pound their brains out to find the answer…wish you luck in your adventures at the internet…….
Ryan

i currently have Digitel as my ISP… Well, i had no problems with it, but i was thinking about Globe broadband due to their cheaper offers – P995 = 1mbps compared to my digitel connection which is P1100 = 384 kbps…

Is Globe Broadband OK in my place(San Carlos City, Pangasinan)?

i’m having doubts please help me!…THank you…
rose cavite

thats how smart bro really slow they are always disconected. hey, whats up were paying you in whole amount dont give us poor service will yah.
Danny

We’ve been using SmartBro for almost 2 years maayos at mabilis pa rin. Actually 788 pa rin yung bayad namin kasi promo pa yun dati 2007.

Nuong una medyo mabagal sya sa download pero ngayon minsan sa ibang site 200kbp/s maximum. Mabilis yun dahil nagdownload ako sa rapidshare downoad speed nila fixed sa 40kb/s.

Pag sa anime dowloads yung site usually 60kb/s, pag 100MB yung file inaabot ng 30minutes o kaya sa bitcomet bittorrent download misan umaabot 160kb/s. Depende sa website. At umaga hanggang gabi same speed. Ibig kong sabihin sa iba kasi pag busy hours 8am-8pm bumabagal SmartBro samin wala problema.

Dito kami sa Taytay,Rizal malapit sa Tower Hills malapit sa cellsite nila.

Nag-improve na ba globe broadband ngayun kasi puro nababasa ko mabagal daw 384kbps 990 nila pero mabilis daw kung 1995 ata na babayaran mo? Meron kasi naglagay ng globe dito sa subd namin pinagiisipan ko kung maganda lipat sa globe+dsl. Mahal kasi cell 800 + smartbro788 monthly.

Pero kung mabagal di na rin siguro. Advise naman sa taga taytay jan.
http://www.tatapx.org boy

Mabagal na at mahal pa internet sa atin compared sa ibang nearby country. bihira lang kasi may internet sa bahay lalo na sa provinces na malayo ng Manila, Cebu at Davao.

Ang mga ISP ay hinde rin bastabasta makapagupgrade, malaking pera gagastosin kasi. When it comes to speed ay ibaiba tayo ng needs pero in general kahit hinde pa sila magupgrade, ayosin lang serbisyo, dapat walang gaanong downtime at stable ang koneksyon; kakainis kasi pagpalaging napapatid e.
rhea

Sa mga globe subscribers, try nyo iemail ang customer service at mga bossing nila… Mabilis sila umaksyon kung may mga problem kayo…

custhelp@globetel.com.ph,
gcablaza@globetel.com.ph,
ccmangahas@globetel.com.ph,
elcu@globetel.com.ph,
alsantamaria@globetel.com.ph,
dllazaro@globetel.com.ph,
rlbernardo@globetel.com.ph,
jzayala@globetel.com.ph,
fzayala@globetel.com.ph,
cmcastillo@globetel.com.ph

sana makatulong…
stephen

hey please tell me me which one is the best.
I have a DSL connection at home but it keeps slowing down. they always have bad connections. in fact I’m not getting the amount of speed I should get. so is there any other internet connection services better than DSL?
anne

graveh globelines sbrang panget… lageh no connection…. araw2 me 2mtawag sa customer suppitr laging cnsavi ggwan ng report… sucks!!!!!!
ICoffee

Before we applied for our business internet connection we did our research and found that among the ones currently offered that fit our budget (and had the least horror stories) was the one given by Globelines broadband . Unfortunately for us I had no idea I would eventually be sharing my own horror story. Writing all the details would make anybody cringe at the service that we got from that company. Bottomline our experience as a corporate client with Globe’s technical and sales service have made us realize that they are terribly slow and totally not dependable, the connection is super slow if at all present even the dial up connection that came with it is too limited to service the hourly disconnection we got. For 1 month our business practically suffered without any internet connection. Imagine being able to use internet for 5 minutes getting disconnected and having to wait for hours before it went back then going tru the same cycle on a daily basis. We returned their unit and modem few days before our contract approached 1 month and terminated our service with them. I will never recommend Globe to my friends or acquaintances and hope that other businesses will not have to go through what we experienced. I wish that we could go back to MyDestiny as a provider we hardly had any problems with them at all. Unfortunately for us Cityland Pasong Tamo Condo is not included in their serviced area.
ktd

The problem is not that there are only a few broadband internet providers, the problem is that none of them deliver a stable or reliable connection. Now how is it in a city like bacolod there is a choice between 2 providers PLDT and Globelines but as everyone knows neither internet provider will provide a stable connection. Now if there was some government agency who’s job it was to monitor the isp’s (internet services providers) handle complaints from customers and had the power to fine them and stop them from signing up more customers until they fixed their problems then some progress could be made.
It appears to me that the isp’s spend their money on advertising to get more customers instead upgrading their systems or tech’s. I have been a globelines customer for about 10 months, paying for a 3mb data only line and i have disconnects every week, sometimes every day. Typical weekend: internet out for 18 hours friday, out again on saturday for 4 hours, out again on monday for 9 hours. Latest problem is network time out’s, can’t connect to most sites and this has been going on for weeks now. Called globelines customer support and got the same old song and dance we are doing system restoration in your area. That excuse is getting way played out, been hearing that excuse for the 10 months. Funny how they never said anything about having to do a couple years of system restoration before signing me up.
I suspect there is a government agency that is supposed to protect customers from the isp companies but for some reason they don’t seem to be involved or motivated to do their jobs, i really wonder why that is….
DIVINA

HELLO sa inyo!nagwoworry kase ako about sa mga isp dyan sa pilipinas,kase ganito yun,,nasa FRANCE ako for now and were planning to stay in the philippines this year,and because my husband’s job is a FREELANCE WEB DESIGNER,nagwowork sya through his computers sa bahay.And i’m really worried na yung internet connection dyan sa pinas ay magputol putol,pano yung work ng asawa ko?! mga costumers pa naman nya will still be FRENCH.pano nalang pag na disconnect…lahat ng nababasa kong feedback,walang maganda…paki tulungan naman ako,kung saan maganda yung connection if ever sa MANDALUYONG AREA and sa PASIG AREA.
PLSSSS
Arjay Bautista

Hi everyone!

I just stumbled upon this blogpost. I was looking for a place to vent my ire for PLDT myDSL. At eto, saktong napunta ako dito.

We have been applying for a PLDT myDSL Plan since November last year. Pero up to now yung application namin eh ipit pa rin. Akin lang, sana, hindi mag-advertise ang PLDT na they want to conquer the whole Philippines, broadband wise, tapos yung areas near Manila hindi nila mabigyan ng DSL connection. BTW, taga Las Pinas lang kami.

Kaya for me, isang malaking scam ang PLDT myDSL.
Jan Romel

Globe Broadband really sucks i got lost of my internet connection in april 24,2009 napakahina sobra ang internet at di ako makalaro sa favorite online game ko ang ran online hahayz globe broadband talaga maganda lng sila sa simula di maganda ang serbisyo ng globe puro lng sila bisyo ilang ulit ako tumawag sa kanila dial ako 171 puro lng sinabi nila system restoration but now its been 5 days i got no internet connection globe broadband sucks! and my area is in Leyte.