May 22, 2007
We had PLDT myDSL installed here at home yesterday. It's the usual 999 pesos-per-month promo for 512 kbps bandwidth that they've been floating around aggressively lately. It also bundles in our residential landline (no more monthly charges), plus free IDD calls for a year!
I must say that the speed is impressive, and it sometimes even exceeds the advertised bandwidth. Results from online speed tests aren't consistent (depending on the latency to the test server), but here's the best result I've had so far:
Not bad! And PLDT gives us a public IP address as well, just in case I ever want to access my home computers remotely.
What happens to our Smart BRO subscription now? myDSL trumps Smart BRO's 384 kbps by far. Unfortunately, we're locked into their service until July, so until then, we basically have dual broadband. It's too bad that we don't have a router capable of taking advantage of both (i.e., a load-balancing router), so Smart BRO will just act as a backup until we can officially drop it.
I must say that the speed is impressive, and it sometimes even exceeds the advertised bandwidth. Results from online speed tests aren't consistent (depending on the latency to the test server), but here's the best result I've had so far:
Not bad! And PLDT gives us a public IP address as well, just in case I ever want to access my home computers remotely.
What happens to our Smart BRO subscription now? myDSL trumps Smart BRO's 384 kbps by far. Unfortunately, we're locked into their service until July, so until then, we basically have dual broadband. It's too bad that we don't have a router capable of taking advantage of both (i.e., a load-balancing router), so Smart BRO will just act as a backup until we can officially drop it.
October 18, 2006
To compensate for yesterday's early bird experience, I came into the office today at 1 PM, which is the latest I've ever reported to work as an HP-er.
(Actually I just waited for the Smart BRO contractors to come in the morning and fix our antenna but they never come. Lousy service.)
(Actually I just waited for the Smart BRO contractors to come in the morning and fix our antenna but they never come. Lousy service.)
September 30, 2006
Alright, we've got our electricity back! I woke up at 6 AM (that in itself is amazing) and saw the street lamp outside my window working. I tried some switches; nothing. Then I found out that my dad turned off the power to the whole house. I pulled down the switch and was rewarded with the sound of a humming refrigerator. I was ready to face the prospect of having no electricity until Monday (that's what Meralco told us) so I'm tremendously pleased at this turn of events.
On the other hand, I just found out that our Smart BRO antenna was toppled over during the storm and it's broken. Customer support isn't answering; maybe their overloaded with service requests? I've resorted to dial-up in the meantime and I really don't want to get used to this speed. But aside from that, our house has escaped virtually unscathed.
Meanwhile, the rest of Metro Manila isn't faring as well. A lot of those fallen billboards and signposts are still down and out. There's a lot of fallen leaves and debris to be swept up. I don't think power has been brought back to all parts of Metro Manila; I believe that as of last night only approximately half of the power grid was restored.
It's going to take a few more days until everything completely go back to normal, but Filipinos are very resilient. We won't let some nasty storm interrupt our daily life. Everyone's back to work and the malls are jampacked as usual.
On the other hand, I just found out that our Smart BRO antenna was toppled over during the storm and it's broken. Customer support isn't answering; maybe their overloaded with service requests? I've resorted to dial-up in the meantime and I really don't want to get used to this speed. But aside from that, our house has escaped virtually unscathed.
Meanwhile, the rest of Metro Manila isn't faring as well. A lot of those fallen billboards and signposts are still down and out. There's a lot of fallen leaves and debris to be swept up. I don't think power has been brought back to all parts of Metro Manila; I believe that as of last night only approximately half of the power grid was restored.
It's going to take a few more days until everything completely go back to normal, but Filipinos are very resilient. We won't let some nasty storm interrupt our daily life. Everyone's back to work and the malls are jampacked as usual.
Labels: current events, electricity, Philippines, Smart BRO
September 18, 2006
It's been more than two weeks since we've had any problems with our Smart BRO connection. It's become a bit slower, but I'd rather have that than resets every other minute. Looks like they finally solved their network problems.
Goodbye, frustrating technical support calls! The Smart BRO curse has been lifted!
Goodbye, frustrating technical support calls! The Smart BRO curse has been lifted!
August 17, 2006
I'm one disgruntled and frustrated Smart BRO customer. And I'm not the only one. I rarely go bonkers over anything, but the constantly resetting connections and incompetent call center agents will drive anyone crazy.
But despite all its failings, Smart BRO is still better than no Smart BRO. The broadband revolution is upon us, my friends. It is time to unlearn the virtue of patience that our forefathers have taught us. The information superhighway is no place for plodding pedestrians.
Damn, dial-up is slow.
P.S. Please don't subscribe to Smart BRO unless you enjoy pain. You have been warned.
(I got so carried away, I totally forgot that I'm waiting for a job offer from Smart. Oooh boy. Bah, whatever... customers have a right to complain!)
But despite all its failings, Smart BRO is still better than no Smart BRO. The broadband revolution is upon us, my friends. It is time to unlearn the virtue of patience that our forefathers have taught us. The information superhighway is no place for plodding pedestrians.
Damn, dial-up is slow.
P.S. Please don't subscribe to Smart BRO unless you enjoy pain. You have been warned.
(I got so carried away, I totally forgot that I'm waiting for a job offer from Smart. Oooh boy. Bah, whatever... customers have a right to complain!)
