Mobile Internet Options in the Philippines

Recently, Edel told me that she was having problems with her thumb. She was constantly having a thumb ache because of her more-than-two-year old mobile phone. The phone's keypad started to show signs of aging which requires huge amount of pressure in pressing certain buttons.

Also, she raised the issue that she wants to read articles online while going to school. Every time she goes to school, she spends 2 to 3 hours of her time on the road. That time is enough for her to read one 20-page article.

Her quick solution was to bring our pocket Wi-Fi together with her iPod Touch. However, every time she brings the pocket Wi-Fi with her, it disables me from doing my online research at home. In short, I also need the pocket Wi-Fi at home.

In order to end our problem, I took the time to visit mobile network stores available in SM Calamba. Good thing, SM has Globe, Smart and Sun stores in it.

I took all their brochures and did the unthinkable. I researched and created what ifs scenarios.

I came up with five options which consider the following criteria:

1.       Cost

2.       Internet 24/7 with any Wi-Fi gadget available (laptops and iPod Touch)

3.       Lock in Period

  

Let's discuss the criteria one by one.

Cost.

Currently we're spending roughly P2000 a month for our plans: Globe's Unli Call and Unli text promo for the both of us and Sun's Easy Broadband for P799 with Pocket Wi-Fi. If we need to select a new plan, we need to stay within that price range.

In addition, as much as possible, we wanted to balance the initial payout cost. I learned that if we terminate our current Globe Plans, we need to pay 3.5K each.

Internet Connection 24/7.

This answers my wife's concern. If I can find an option where in both of us can enjoy internet connection anywhere we go 24/7, the better.  Currently, we enjoy this if we're together because of our pocket Wi-Fi. The pocket Wi-Fi provides internet connection up to 1.5Mbps and it can connect multiple gadgets simultaneously. However, if we’re not together, the pocket Wi-Fi can only be useful to the person bringing it.

Lock in Period.

If we decide to get another plan, we need to consider the lock in period. We need to have a phone that is durable enough to last for two years (common lock in period of postpaid plans). What if at the middle of the lock in plan, one of the phones breaks up?

Based on the brochure I obtained from the shops, I have the following options:

1.       Unli Surf Sun using ZTE tablet. (Cost: 4, Internet Connection: 4, Lock in Period: 3,Overall Rating: 11)

2.       Unli Surf Sun using Nokia C5-03 Plan 799. (Cost: 5, Internet Connection: 3, Lock in Period: 4,Overall Rating: 12)

3.       Globe's iPhone 8GB Super Surf Plan 999. (Cost: 1, Internet Connection: 3, Lock in Period: 4,Overall Rating: 9) 

4.       Smart's All in Plan 1.2K. (Cost: 2, Internet Connection: 5, Lock in Period: 4,Overall Rating: 11)

5.       Globe's Super Surf Plan 999 using their free phone either LG Optimus ME or Sony Ericsson W8 or Samsung Galaxy Mini. (Cost: 4, Internet Connection: 5, Lock in Period: 4,Overall Rating: 13)

Mobile Internet Options

Obviously, option 5 is the most viable option for us in terms of cost, 24/7 internet connectivity and lock in period.

Hope you find this article helpful.

Elvin

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