Smart Bro on the Go: Plug-into the Internet Anywhere
Published on 19 Dec 2007 at 4:02 pm.
8 Comments.
Filed under ICT4D, Nets, Webs, Infostructure.
“Plug it!”, the ad says.
“
Magaling!” That’s what I can say about Smart Bro’s latest Internet connectivity solution.
ANYWHERE BROADBAND!
It’s the new SMART BRO PLAN 799 - the plug-it anywhere broadband!
The newest plan from Smart BRO - Plan 799, allows you to surf the net anywhere there’s a PC! The Smart BRO USB modem is a small, palm-sized device that you can carry with you wherever you go. And anytime you need to surf, just plug it into the USB port of your PC, and you’ll get connected in a flash!
40 HOURS FREE per MONTH!
• Initial Payment - P1,999 (upon subscription)
• Monthly Fee - P799 only
*In excess of 40 hours will be charged P10 per block of 30 minutes.
As for quality of service, that has yet to be discovered. As I’ve said before, I really don’t expect 5-star service (low expectations keeps me sane) from new services like this. What I DO like are the possibilities! This service extends Internet connectivity further, allows subscribers to be more mobile, not tying-down the internet connection to just one PC in just one location!
This service is perfect for students, for the travelling worker, for entrepreneurs on the move.
I wonder if this will work in a remote places like Barrio Napag-iwanan or Cuyo. Possible bottleneck is the “activation” of a cellsite to be able to accommodate this kind of service. I wonder.
Some additional info I gathered from Smart Wireless Center (Added 20 Dec 2007):
- Lock-in period: 24 months
- USB Modem can connect to Internet anywhere there is a Smart cellphone signal
- USB Modem can connect using 2G, 3G or “3.5G” or HSDPA depending on what service is available in the area
- Promo price good until February 2008
Visit Smart Bro website or call tel (02) 6727277 for details.
Magaling! Ma-bright!
ka edong
Ayos clap!
-
Related Articles on Technobiography:
Smart Bro on the Go -- Pinoy Tech Blog - The Philippines’ Premier Technology Blog on 19 Dec 2007 at 3:53 pm: 1
[…] More Smart Bro musings on Technobiography. Visit Smart Bro website for more details. […]
Business and Finances on 19 Dec 2007 at 6:12 pm: 2
this service is not worth it and it is not just 799 pesos actually. it is only 799 if you surf for just an hour a day for a month and you know that it isn’t enough. if you exceed that you are going to be charged 10 for every 30 minutes excess..JUST LIKE using it on your cellphone… so why be TIED TO 2 YEARS PLAN when you can do it in your cellphone.
a better read before subscribing on Smartbro 799.SMART DEFRAUDING CONSUMERS
Unhappy USer on 3 Jan 2008 at 8:35 pm: 3
I agree with Business and Finance. To subscribe for Smart Bro 799 is sheer madness!
I am eager toknow the reviews of recent subscriber if the performance is really good.
Look if your 3G cellfone can do the same job why have yourself tied by a contract for two years just of that internet connection?
Anybody who is really smart enough will not subscribe to such dubious service!
Its only SMART that is profiting from these venture and not the targetted customer which was grossly cheated!
BTW
The Cellfone connection had maximum download speed of 460 kbps while the SmartBro799 is only 385 IIRC?( Correct me if Im wrong).
Look my cellfone connection with Smart is prepaid Smart Buddy card and it had more uses than the Smart Bro 799.
The pesky issue with the Smart Cellfone Internet connection is that the download speed of 460 is not true but the measured speed is just around 56kbps!
The only saving grace is that is 100% wireless much better than dial up land line connection.
Mike on 14 Jan 2008 at 4:17 pm: 4
is the service as low as the smart bro?????
ka edong on 15 Jan 2008 at 7:50 am: 5
Smart Bro 999 - P999 per month unlimited; 1 year lock-in period
Smart Bro 799 - P799, 40 minutes free; P10 per 30-minute block; 2 years lock-in
Installation fees apply for both services, can’t remember the fees from the top of my head
im a smartbroke on 28 Jan 2008 at 11:38 pm: 6
another smart scam.. plug it is using 3G technology, so why bother getting plug it and then pay the installation fee… just get yourself a 3G fone, i suggest LG KU250 cheap but faster than my n70
esti on 11 Feb 2008 at 12:10 pm: 7
i think they lessened the tie-in period for plan 799 (to 1 yr), this from a talk with a flustered CSR from the smart bro hotline just a while ago.
anyway, based on a fellow gamer’s feedback this service indeed relies on 3g signals, thus just like the normal 3g signal of smart it is intermittent.
if you do not have 3g signal this plug-in will perform the same as GPRS speeds.
playing WoW using this service is laggy.
take the lesser evil and get the plan 999 if you got no choice other than smart bro.
alex on 15 Feb 2008 at 7:49 pm: 8
i always have a hard time connecting my 3g phone to the internet. that’s why i’ll try subscribing to smart bro plan 799. i’ll line up my downloads with a dial up connection and use smart bro for download. i’ve heard the modem itself is worth the advance payment and the lock in period (or is it?).