Vince tech updates

Well, in terms of mobile broadband here in the Philippines, we get mixed emotions and weather-based comments.

Like now, my Globe HSDPA (which I am not currently using) is ok for me. I used it the wholeday yesterday and it was ok. If you ask me if it reached 1.8mpbs in one point of time, no, it didn’t. The max I got was only from a burst and it was only around 1.2mbps.

I am a subscriber for almost 2 years now and this year would have the less downtime but, speedwise, the slowest. Do you think that the network is being clogged already?

I remembered when I started using Globe Visibility. Almost no one had it or knew such contraption exists. It has such an exclusive feel and the speed was good too.

Currently, I am thinking of getting a Sun cellular mobile broadband for my little brother. But before jumping into another hot water like what I experienced from Globe 2 years back (downtime - everyday!), I will just read around for reviews first.

Anyway, as my topic goes, I hope we can find or you can help me find something like this:

According to Engadget,
3G WiFi routers aren’t anything new at this point, but T-Mobile’s new Mobile Broadband Share Dock is one of the slicker implementations we’ve seen from a carrier — the unit consists of a USB HSDPA modem and a base which shares the connection over WiFi, which means you can unplug the modem and take your access on the road.

I don’t think we have this gadget here available in the Philippines. If you know one, can you please post a reply because I’m really interested into getting a van full of people happy while going out-of-town.

More countries due to get iPhone 3G in August
iPhone 3g in Manila, Philippines! - August 22,2008

Steve made a big show of announcing that the iPhone 3G would launch in 70 countries by the end of the year at WWDC, and according to CFO Tim Cook during Apple’s last financial call, 20 more countries will join the list on August 22 for a total of 45. With that date just a couple weeks away, things are starting to fall into place, although not all 20 are confirmed yet. Here’s a quick breakdown of the 16 confirmed countries so far — any bets on what the other four will be?

* Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Peru and Uruguay on Telefonica
* India on Bharti Airtel and Vodafone
* The Czech Republic on O2
* Estonia on EMT
* Poland on Orange and Era
* Romania on Orange
* Philippines on Globe Telecom
* Hungary on T-Mobile
* Singapore on Singtel

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iPHONE PLANS
The new Globe iPhone 3G Plans with FREE Mobile Internet and Wi-Fi hours
	PLAN 1599	PLAN 2199	PLAN 3299	PLAN 3999	PLAN 4999
Monthly Service Fee	Plan 1,599	Plan 2,199	Plan 3,299	Plan 3,999	Plan 4,999
Free Local Voice Minutes	100	210	350	500	750
Globe to Globe	P5.50	P5.00	P4.50	P4.00	P3.50
Globe to Non-Globe	P7.00	P6.50	P6.00	P5.50	P4.50
Free Local SMS Text Message	350	350	450	550	650
Text fee after free text allocation	P1.00/msg.	P0.50/msg.	P0.50/msg.	P0.50/msg.	P0.50/msg.
Free Local Mobile Internet Hours	40 hours	60 hours	100 hours	100 hours	100 hours
Rate in excess of free Mobile Internet hours	P0.50/min.	P0.50/min.	P0.50/min.	P0.50/min.	P0.50/min.
Free WiZ Wi-Fi Hours	20 hours	30 hours	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited
Rate in excess of free WiZ Wi-Fi hours	P2.00/min	P2.00/min	P2.00/min	P2.00/min	P2.00/min
8 GB	P16,800	P14,600	P12,300	P5,600	FREE
16 GB	P22,300	P20,000	P17,800	P11,000	P5,500
- 2-year lock-up applies. - Rates are inclusive of VAT and Currency Exchange Rate Adjustment (CERA). - Free text allocation applies to local text messages (Globe to Globe and Globe to other networks). - Free call minutes applies allocation applies to local calls (Globe to Globe, Globe to other networks, Globe to landline and NDD calls).

PREPAID

Get the iPhone 3G Prepaid Kit and enjoy 50 hours of FREE Internet!*

	PRICE
8 GB	P41,889
16 GB	P48,899

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Telecoms can now expect a decrease in their earnings from the lower class people in the Philippines due to the basic commodities shortage and price increase.

They have to offer a pricing scheme or services that will target the more affluent—those belonging to A, B and upper C socio-economic brackets, as they are likely to have disposable incomes.

The report, more than a million text messages per day sent around the network was heard a few years back. I wonder how many SMS messages in the Philippines are sent now? Can we call the Philippines the “Text messaging capital” of the world?

A few years back, I was on a trip going to Australia. Normally, I turn my phone on when the plane halts. That time, I didn’t do so because when I checked my phone, it was on! Yes, it was on the entire flight.

Since that time, I wondered, so, if mobile phones aren’t affecting planes, I wonder why they want it turned off?

A few hours ago, I received this SMS message from globe.

From Globe:

Introducing Airline Roaming, another 1st from Globe’s worldwidest services! You may now use your mobile phone to call and text while on board selected aircrafts from 2 major int’l airlines. More airlines will be available soon! For free details, text AIRLINE to 2222.

Out of curiosity, I replied to that message. This was the reply.

Globe’s Airline Roaming is now available in Air France and Emirates’ select flights. Globe postpaid subscribers can now use their voice and text servies while on board a plane. The flight attendant will announce if the aircraft offers airline roaming. More airlines will be available soon!

Interesting? Yes! It means that, you can now surf the net while travelling in a plane. Talk about technology improvements.

This sure is one new technology to hit the Philippines. I hope Philippine Airlines / Cebu Pacific will offer such in the near future.

If you don’t want, you wouldn’t search for this!

If you really don’t want, and you have purchased ” Mentos Ice Blast Gum “, can you give me the OR# so I can send an entry to their promo? actually, I can win 5 Maroon 5 tickets if I win. I only need 4… so, maybe if I win, I can share my winnings and you can join us 4 to watch the Maroon 5 concert?

This is their requirements:

Buy any one (1) pocket bottle of Mentos Ice Blast or Mentos Juice Blast and text the following:

BLASTM5 full name/address/age/OR#XXXXXX

Example: BLASTM5 Juan Dela Cruz/123 J. Rizal st. QC/99/OR#54321

Send to 2327 for Globe and Touch Mobile
09178902327 for Smart, Talk N Text and Sun Cell.

Entry costs only 1 peso per text to any of those numbers!

For more info, check out the image below (click the image to view the larger image).

For my personal review of signal updates, see the list below. (This is what I remember, so far.)

Tip: If you are travelling, better set your connection settings to “3g preferred” rather than 3g only because you will pass areas that does not have 3g signals. From my experience, I can chat using Yehey messenger (yehey tol) from Manila to Tagaytay without interuptions.

Puregold Qi Central (Erod corner Araneta) in front of Binalot area - HSDPA
Starbucks Timog (In front of caueway resto) - GPRS to almost none
Ortigas Podium area - HSDPA
Royale Tagaytay Phase 1 high part - HSDPA
Shangri-la mall edsa (Tender bobs) - GPRS
Ayala Alabang Country club - HSDPA
St. James alabang - HSDPA
Figaro Tomas Morato - GPRS

Below listed are from Macalua blog site
Posted as comment by Robin Lim on June 11th, 2007 at 8:10 AM

Brgy. Central, near City Hall - HSDPA
Mocha Blends, near City Hall - HSDPA
HLURB, Kalayaan Ave. - HSDPA
University of the Philippines Law Center - HSDPA*
Innotech Building, Don Mariano Marcos Ave. - GPRS*
Roosevelt near Bayantel Bldg. - HSDPA
Seattles Best, E. Rodriguez near St. Lukes - HSDPA
Barangay Mariana/New Manila near E. Rodriguez - HSDPA
Seattles Best, T. Morato - GPRS
Gyozatei, T. Morato - HSDPA
Figaro, Bohol Ave (near ABS CBN) - HSDPA
Capitol Medical Center - HSDPA
Starbucks Banawe - HSDPA
BBA Badminton Court - Banawe - HSDPA
Wham Burgers Banawe - HSDPA
Orange Bread, Brgy. Sienna - HSDPA
Ala Diane Restaurant, corner Sta. Catalina & Sto. Somingo Sts. - HSDPA
Fazoli’s, Eastwood, Libis - HSDPA