Smart Broadband Versus Globe Broadband: Which is Better?

On October 14, 2011, in Broadband, Broadband Internet Service, Fast Internet Connection, Globe broadband, Globe Philippines, Globe Tattoo, Smart Bro, Smart Philippines, by Eload

Smart and Globe are two of the most dominant providers of broadband internet service in the country. On the surface, the two seems to be no different from each other at all: both offer fast internet connection services via wireless technologies (Wimax), aside from the fact that they have been slugging it out in the mobile communications arena for decades now. But the question that may be burning in your minds now is: which could actually be better? Smart Broadband or Globe Broadband?

Globe Tattoo: Lock-in Period, No-strings-attached 1-month Trial

Even at the outset, Globe Philippines’ Wimax offering, now called Globe Tattoo, seems superior to Smart Broadband, primarily because Globe has the balls to offer new subscribers a one month trial—if you’re not satisfied with the service after one month, you can easily have it discontinued, no strings attached. If you do decide to continue with the service, the lock-in period is only 12 months.

On the other hand, Smart Broadband (Smart Bro) does not offer any trial period and requires you to sign up and agree to its terms at the outset. Moreover, its lock-in period is also 24 months (two years), which means if somehow you find that the service is less than satisfactory, you cannot easily have it discontinued without paying hefty disconnection charges.

Bandwidth Capping: The Darned Fair Usage Policy

Perhaps the most common gripe by consumers regarding both companies’ broadband internet service is the bandwidth capping: if you have downloaded a specific amount of data (in GB) in a month, your connection speed (as mandated by law and approved by the NTC) will slow down until the capping is refreshed in the following month.

The thing is, usually, the marketers of Smart Bro and Globe Tattoo are not actually very explicit regarding the existence of the Fair Use Policy (FUP). They will highlight the speed, the ease of use, and other features of the said Wimax-based internet services, but they won’t mention anything about the bandwidth capping. That’s why in a month or two, subscribers begin flooding the customer service hotlines complaining about the “deteriorating connection speed,” only to be informed that such degradation is “normal.”

It is important to note, however, that wired broadband internet services (such as DSL and cable) are not covered by any bandwidth capping and are the only ones that are truly “unlimited” in every sense of the word.

How to Speed up your Globe Tattoo Wimax thru Speed Boost

For such a reason, ever since these wireless internet service were introduced, there has been a growing number of people who rant on internet forums about the “sucky-ness” of these services.

Fortunately, at least with Globe Philippines, we’re seeing one solution: Globe Tattoo Speed Boost.

Speed Boost is an add-on to your Globe Tattoo wireless internet account, enabling you to experience an increase of 1 MBPS to your internet speed four hours each day, the schedule of which depends on what you choose (daytime, night time, or insomniac). If you have an existing 1 MBPS Globe Tattoo Wimax , Speed Boost means you will enjoy 2 MBPS of fast internet connection four hours a day.

Not only that, adding Speed Boost to your Globe account also activates its new FUP—now, the FUP is recalculated and refreshed everyday at midnight, instead of the old method of monthly refreshes. Moreover, the bandwidth cap has been increased from 25 GB to 90 GB a month—which should be more than enough to satisfy even the heaviest of downloaders.

On the other hand, we have yet to hear anything from Globe Philippines rival Smart Bro or Wi-Tribe or any of those minor players in the local broadband internet service industry. We still await further developments, and expect to find the latest updates here the moment something is rolled out.

However, with Globe Philippines’ introduction of its new Speed Boost feature for both its Wimax (wireless) and DSL (wired) broadband internet services, it seems Globe is overtaking its fiercest rival in providing better service.