Our DSL Internet connection at home sucks. It used to be that the problem was just the disconnections during bad weather. But now, rain or shine, there’s longer down times than actual connectivity. See, it’s not a cabled DSL connection — it’s broadband via mobile cell site broadcast.
What makes matters worse is, this company’s customer service leaves a lot to be desired. I’ve already called them up three times, and there’s still no action. (The other times I tried calling, I just couldn’t get through, to the point that I now get pissed whenever I hear that on-hold music they use.) In the meantime, I suffer connectivitis, a.k.a. Internet withdrawal symptoms, when I’m stuck at home. 
What’s really irritating is that, we can’t switch providers yet because there’s a one-year lock-in period! Ridiculous, I tell you! But we had no choice — it’s part of the subscription service agreement. Cancellation of account will entail surcharges.
This is really awful customer service. Internet subscribers should be given the right to switch ISPs or cancel their accounts if they’re not satisfied with the service. And ISPs should be proactive in the way they compete: they should shape up in order to retain their clients, and not resort to this stupid service lock-in practice.
What do you think?
hehe, oo nga bad trip yan talaga. pangalanan mo na lng, SMART BRO-KEN ba tinutunkoy mo
). Natry ko na halos three ISPs Bayantel, Globe and Digitel. Lahat sila wala naman ako masyado problema, good customer service, reliable connection.
Ano na lng ba ang hindi? PLDT and Smart-Bro hehe. Never siguro.
You don’t have to pay!
I requested mine to be disconnected(after 4 months of use) and actually stopped paying my bills 1 1/2 year ago and up until now they haven’t taken their receivers out of my office. I guess they simply don’t care!
hahahaha!!! very clever, suddenserenity!
yes, it’s smartbro. talaga dens? so which one are you using now? would you recommend it?
I’ve been wondering if this lock-in period is justified by these providers’ need to recuperate investments specific to each subscriber. I find it hard to believe that it is though. I mean, apart from the broadband modem and whatever thingamajigs they’re using on their end, there doesn’t seem to be much that justifies it. Of course, I could be missing something.
Assuming though that a lock-in period is really not necessary, any one of these providers might find it hard to abolish such a requirement if they don’t think their competitors are going to do the same. I think Peter Drucker mentioned in one of his books (and mentioned again in The Essential Drucker) that in this case, legislation would be the only way to go.
Ha! So much for wireless broadband internet. There are 2 reasons why you shouldn’t go into wireless broadband: 1) wireless connections are much slower than their cable counterparts and 2) wireless connections are very prone to man-made(radios operating at same frequency) and natural(ie. rain, lightning) interferences.
I recommend getting wireless broadband only when cable ISPs can’t reach your homes(ie. bahay mo nsa lkalagitnaan ng bukid).
Before you go into a contract(1 year lock-in period) from your chosen ISP, ask some customers. This way you can choose a much better ISP. Good ISPs have good customer satisfaction ratings.
that “Service Lock-In” should not be
left unchecked by our govt through DTI.
It should be fall under the consumer’s protection law.
If you are here in davao I would like
to recommend to try Pisolution of DCTech.
I am using dial-up unlimited internet connection for only 399.00 a month plus vat.
And I am satisfied with its services.
They have also DSL connections.
Thanks
Johnny
I’m using Pisolutions and Bayantel now.
I love the reliability and consistency of Pisolutions. Speed wise, they are not the fastest but acceptable enough for me
With Pisolution I got 4 months free for paying one year in advance.
thanks for your feedback, mark, harvey, johnny & dennis! i’m sure my blog’s other readers also appreciate the added information
I’m hooked with Smart Bro for 3 months now. I have the same problems with them. Paputol-putol yung connection. Minsan it won’t connect lalo na kung tinanggal mo yung power ng Canopy for a while. Mamomroblema ka kung pano co-connect uli. Sayang I don’t have a choice. Smart Bro lang yung pwede sa area namin eh.
Pisolutions from DCTech is using Globe Broadband. Y not connect directly with Globe? That way, your connection won’t pass thru DCTech servers anymore. The lesser the hops(servers passed) the faster the internet.
Thanks for the information guys. I was actually planning to get Smart bro because Globelines and Bayantel can’t reach my home yet. I thought that with all the competitors joining the fray they should have at least improved their customer service. I guess I should just wait (and suffer from connectivitis hehe) a little longer.
Yes. I agree. Tahasang panggugulang yang lock-in period na yan sa mga subscriber. Paano kung panandalian mo lang kailangan yung service?. At paano kung pangit ang service at ayaw mo na? Answer: Take it or leave it. Magdusa at manigas tayong mga subscribers.
Hey blogie, sulat ka sa http://www.petitiononline.com parang ginawa nito oh:
http://www.petitiononline.com/globedsl/petition.html
pipirma ko ng limang libong beses.
im from davao and i’ve been using smartbro for more than a year now (wheeew! im over the lock-in period now!) we didnt really have that much problems with smartbro. siguro isa lang ako sa iilang maswerte. no connection, slow DL/UL speed..i’ve experienced that pero di naman ganun kadalas.
BUT AFTER A YEAR (1yr and 1month na ung smartbro namin), HAAAAY NAKOW I GET DISCONNECTED EVERY MINUTE OR SO! and im always redirected to that smartbro authentication whatever >_< im thinking of switching to globelines. but i would never ever try their wireless connection! it would be much like smartbro for sure! do they have wired connection packages available here in davao (in bangkal to be exact)? ok ba ung globelines? any suggestions plzzz
wag mo try globe la silbi….. lageh ang request time out sa ping at tuwing mangyayari 2 eh disconnected aq sa paglalaro ng WOW… taz la din silbi customer service 5 days nq complain ng complain alang ngyayari… pag nag globe ka connection mo eh request time out sobrang dalas… disconnection eh mga 15 ~ 30 minutes lageh.. dq alam kung malas lng ba or what pero now eh nagfile nq ng termination form… anyway switching to my dsl nq.. since ung tropa ko eh yan gamit ala nmn problem..
I am on bayanDSL and so far there connection is satisfactory. Although there were times that the connection would go down but they would tend to it immediately. They also have a good customer service regardless of the long hold.
Btw, if you are planning to go on wireless, better buy a wireless router instead of subscribing to a wireless line. I don’t think wireless connection here in Davao is already stable.
And with regard to the lock-in, according to my friends, it really sucks.
Hi,
I just got my Smart Bro Plan 999 yesterday. And you guys know why I am reading blogs about Smart Bro – its my first day and I can’t stand the speed ( or lack of it). Now I am locked in for 2 years! Can the Consumer protection agencies help us out? I mean I know wireless broadband is not as fast as DSL but this is ridiculous, its dial up speed. As consumers can we do anything about this? pls advise thanks
I know what you mean! Unfortunately, telcos / ISPs can get away with that. There's really no basis for consumers to complain about the speed of Internet connectivity… at least, not as far as I know. Maybe someone could try and complain to the DTI?