⌛ ISP: anybody using Smart Bro Or FilProduct Cable Internet?

I've about had it with ITQest, formerly IT Outlook. They doubled prices claiming a new and better backbone. Since then performance dropped like a rock and now they're imposing quota's and throttling.

Has anyone been using SmartBro WiFi service or the new FilProducts Cable TV internet service?

How is reliability? What actual speeds are you getting?

Thanx

John In Valencia

 

I'm using Globe Internet. It's ok but could be better. I am pretty far away from their transmitter and they assure me that a new closer one will go online soon.

 

I'm using SmartBro. Original unit does not even have a antenna supplied! Stuck a 40dbi antenna and signal is much better.....

Reliability is acceptable.

Speed is supposed to be 2mps. Getting speeds around the 1500k or less mark. Lately it's getting slower or disconnects a few times, but other than that it's not bad.

Paying 999 pesos for 24months contract. Wireless modem supplied. The "agents" or reps will come out and test on site first before signing you up. Don't ask them anything technical cause they won't understand.......

 

There are different types of Smartbro. Until last year, we had the "antenna on the roof" type, not to be confused with the wireless router type. It was not fast enough for streaming video, but was adequate for general use. We switched to Globe early this year due to Smartbro not allowing the use of a router. They wanted us to sign up for two services, and pay twice, so we could use the laptop outside, etc.

Globe SUCKS!!!!!

We will be switching back to Smartbro.

Larry

 

I didn't realize that FilProducts was currently offering internet service...what speeds are they offering?

 

They are not, yet, check their message Canel for general information or call/visit them for better info, I have been talking with somebody who is familiar with the Telecomunication bussinese and he sayd that there is a Law in the PH that restricts IP, so Cabel operators are not allowed to offer IP/Telephon Services?

 

Two months ago FilProducts delivered a flyer to all customers along with the monthly bill. This said that they were starting the process of converting to an all digital system that would offer "many more channels" .... AND "cable internet". The digital cable will require set top boxes. The first one is free, any extra are PhP1000 ea. The basic fee is raised a bit with a "small additional monthly fee" for the extra boxes.

No specific details about the internet service cost or speed.

I recently had my wife contact them about "when will our area get these services... especially the internet service". As always with PH companies "real soon now". They did tell her that they are currently deploying both new services to Silliman Heights.

Not that the fact that they said that means anything.

My wife just told me that the latest bill had a flyer saying that the system, at least here in Valencia, will convert to digital on Nov 12 and everyone must come to their offices in DGTE to sign a new contract and pay for the set top boxes.

While she's there she'll ask about the internet service. In theory there should be no delay. In order to offer digital TV they have to change all their transmission and relay equipment and that equipment has the "2-way" facilities built in. All they have to do is to arrange a "backbone" and they're cooking. We'll see.

Still I'd be shocked if a PH company really introduced a major new service that fast.
So I'm going to continue to look into Smart Bro.

What's the deal about "Smart Bro does not permit using a router". As far as I know, once they leave if I choose to stick a router in the connection there is no way they can detect that without physically coming out here to look. When DSL was first being deployed in the US all the companies tried to make the same rule but they quickly discovered that enforcing it was impossible.

Has anyone tried with Smart Bro?

John in Valencia

 

The router can be used, but each time you change computers you have to reset the IP. Made it pretty aggravating to use in our application, and impossible for two computers to be used at one time.

Larry

 

I am using wireless on the SmarBro, have x1 desktop, x2 laptops and x1 iPhone connected with no issues. Of course it slows down if you are uploading unless you set the outgoing speed settings to 4k so it is acceptable....downloading is fine

You can also use a IP phone. I have the Netcomm V85 which is a older model, setup a SIP account in Australia (Dont know if it will work with other countries...) and you can CALL home for 10 cents unlimited, not as international rates! This is good for people who dont have a computer on the other end or want to call through to a landline instead of turning the computer on all the time just to use voice calling via yahoo, skype or whatever.

SmartBro has the speed to support this, only just.....

In Australia, we have Telstra. They charge you extra if you have more than one computer to connect to their supplied router or even the account.
I always tell them there is only one computer...they dont know unless they physically visit...

All other providers dont care......

I would have thought that Tandayag which is 30km out of Dumaguete would have poor connection and speed, but its acceptable.

Globe would not send anyone out unless we gave them a actual address....so I called Smart and they were happy to do that provided i sent them detailed information on where we were located.

I really wish the provinces would use numbered addresses.....

 

That is good to know, hopefully they have changed that policy. I spent a lot of time trying to make the router work, including several online workarounds and contacting Smart, who told me that I could not use a router with their system. The installers that were here on several occasions told me the same thing. This was, however, 2+ years ago.

I have been considering going back to Smart as I found it MUCH more dependable than Globe. Globe sucks, but it does work with my router, which was the main reason I switched to them from Smart in the first place.

Both work fine with my Majic Jack. (When Globe is working)

Larry