SMART Broadband, Inc. (SBI) has unveiled a USB modem that will allow users to access the Internet with speeds ranging from 384 kbps to 768 kbps anywhere where there is a Smart signal.
The device will be offered under SBI’s “Smart BRO Plan 799.� Under the plan, which costs P799 a month, subscribers have 60 hours of Internet usage per month and will be charged P10 for every 30-minute block in excess.
MOBILE INTERNET. The Smart BRO USB modem allows you to connect to the Internet anywhere where there is a Smart network coverage. The device is offered under a P799 monthly plan. Click on photo to enlarge.When I first read the press release, I was immediately tempted to get one. But it’s not something I need just yet. I rarely go out right now and at any given hour I’m either at home or at the office or on my way to either place. Still, it’s certainly something I want.
People who are always on the go, however, will find the device useful, especially in areas with sparse Wi-Fi coverage.
The device is certainly a cheaper alternative to PLDT WeRoam and one that you can also use in a desktop PC. The device, according to a company press statement, is part of Smart’s “thrust of broadbanding the country, of making wireless broadband Internet services more accessible and more affordable.”
“This takes Internet access to the next level. With the portable USB modem, areas that previously could not avail (itself) of broadband services will have instant Internet access, as long as there is Smart network coverage,” SBI president Rolando G. Peña said in a press statement.
To avail yourself of the plan, you need to have a monthly salary of P12,000 and present financial documents such as the latest income tax return, current bank statement, or bank certification letter. Subscribers will be charged a one-time fee of P1,999 for the modem.
The Smart BRO Plan 799 kit comes with a data modem, PC software and “a cool denim sock for storing the modem.� The USB modem currently works only in Windows 2000 and XP. But Smart said that before the year ends, the modem will be compatible with other operating systems.
I just checked with the Smart Bro website and found that a higher plan, at P999 a month, gives you a LAN modem that’s compatible with other operating systems. I don’t know how small or large the device is but the USB modem seems small enough to be convenient to carry around.
If the USB modem does get to support more operating systems, including Linux, I just might get one. Next year, I’d be working on projects that would need me to be on the field more often. The Smart BRO USB modem will certainly be useful.
21 responses so far ↓
Maye // Nov 24, 2007 at 2:48 pm
and a great alternative for Globe Visibilty! I want this!
Philippine Updates // Dec 1, 2007 at 7:13 pm
Does Smart guarantee the connection speed? Globe’s 3G claims a 1.7mbps connection but when subscribers came in droves, people could hardly get a connection. I hope that this one is better.
mervindizon // Dec 16, 2007 at 12:34 pm
I am using the latest unit that came from PLDT We Roam. This is the USB unit which can capture speeds of up to 3.6 mbps. So far, I have been satisfied with it and it’s seldom that I am not able to connect. I have to be online most of the time even if I am out of town. I was even able to do work easily when I was in a vacation in Bohol (don’t ask why I am working while on vacation
).
totoy // Dec 16, 2007 at 9:11 pm
baka smart broken na naman yan ha!
Melvin Bernardino // Dec 17, 2007 at 7:30 pm
how and where can i subscribe this kind of net connection?
Max Limpag // Dec 22, 2007 at 3:20 am
Mervin,
You’re vacationing in Bohol and you still think of work??? How could you???
Totoy,
I just had a demo several hours ago and the speeds were awesome. I don’t whether they can sustain the quality of service but based on feedback from people I know here in Cebu, they haven’t had Smart Bro problems recently.
Melvin,
Just go to any Smart wireless center to apply. Just make sure to bring with you identification papers and a bank statement.
totoy // Dec 22, 2007 at 10:05 am
i’m currently on smartbro plan 999, can i change it to plan 799 and just pay the modem, i too travel to bacolod, bohol, cdo and agusan frequently. thanks
Ernani // Dec 25, 2007 at 8:33 pm
hmm… sabi sa commercial nationwide daw sya pero bat ganun, hindi sya offered d2 sa laoag…
mike schmeisser // Jan 1, 2008 at 9:21 pm
Hello Max,
e-mail is dead. The industry simply failed to come to some decent standard to eliminate Spam. In fact, to effective do it, you might have to set your mail server to accept mail only from persons you do know. This is why presently the future more with messengers, you got your list of those people you do communicate with, all comes down to some sort of SMS standard in communication. Why anymore bother about a computer for communication when we can do it with a cell phone? At least it does works on my Nokia E61i and E65. Don’t know if your phone can handle it, maybe just try to install this fring from fring.com. It basically should give you a good idea in where we are moving to: internet phone, skype, messengers, all is going to be in a single cell phone. Instead of some Smart Bro Plug without Linux support, remember the old rule, it doesn’t work with Linux it is crap, I rather could wish for some better WiFi coverage. One day all phone calls will go through the internet, even the cell phone calls. Would be also an end to these nasty text messages “no lod� spamming my sms, hehehehehe
The good old Mike, still alive despite his smoking habits as already mentioned in one of your articles. Happy New Year.
jane p. // Jan 3, 2008 at 2:11 pm
Hi Max,
Thanks for the nice article on the SmartBro Plug It.
Happy New Year!
christian victorino // Jan 11, 2008 at 11:27 am
i hope that this is not just those fancy sales talking peeps..
we are willing to pay just give us the service..
ernesto antique // Jan 28, 2008 at 3:06 pm
how do i get this usb modem? i heard there are some requirements like latest income tax return or something? pls have some advise, thanks. we are here in dumaguete city & my work wont allow me to visit the smart center.
joy // Feb 1, 2008 at 8:03 am
dapat unlimited ang oras. mahal pa rin….
passer // Mar 14, 2008 at 11:10 pm
pde ba pang Inet Cafe?4 PC’s?:)
Max Limpag // Mar 15, 2008 at 4:26 am
Passer,
.
I don’t know how you can share the connection (attach the USB modem on one PC that will act as server?). I think you’re better off with a wired connection
jude25m // Jun 5, 2008 at 1:42 pm
ginagamit ko ung n72 ko bilang modem smart network, mahina kc gprs lang, pero ok lang, dito ako sa bohol, dto sa town namin walang internet, pero ako meron kasi smart
dhor09 // Aug 7, 2008 at 8:39 am
smartbroken talga… ang pangit d2 pagnagsubscribe ka hnd man lng sabhin kng pwd sa lugar.. hnd naman pala lahat ng lugar pwd yan… d2 sa amin “2G” lang peru hnd nila cnasabi un… basta makabenta lng ok na sa kanila.. 32kbps lng speed ng 2G biro nyo mas mabilis pa ung dialup…
iya // Sep 10, 2008 at 10:41 pm
gusto ko sna plan999 kaso di abot ng smarbroadband dito sa amin sa susuba capas tarlac…wala kc signal sa smartbroadband ung antenna ng smartbro sa tapat ng kanto namin…sa ngayon ginagamit ko lang ang 3g phone ko at loptop kso 115kbps lang pinagtatyagan ko lang kesa naman sa wala…sana magkaroon na ng signal ung smartbro antenna sa tapat lang ng kanto namin.
janice // May 23, 2009 at 12:05 pm
what is weroam? is this international use?
eva // Jun 12, 2009 at 4:48 pm
elow!!! pwede ba ung smart bro pero sa pc ito gagamitin, smart lang kasi may signal sa amin ….huhuhu email po kayo kung mayron kayong info.(taube_via@yahoo.com)
salamat….
Glennie // Jul 17, 2009 at 3:35 pm
I am very much frustrated with my Smart Broadband connection at Concepcion, Tarlac… it’s been 6 days now and i still don’t have any connection. Each time i call their hot line, i am told they are working on it and monitor in 24 hours… but to no avail. This is unacceptable.
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