This has probably been asked before but anyway.... We're off to the province in september and the wife wants to leave MY laptop out there so she can contact the family on skype when we return. Question is what are the internet options we'll have out there. I'm thinking we'll probably end up with a dongle of some sort but what are the costs of this and is it good enough for video calling? Ta
SmartBro is what we use. Yes it's good enough for Video and sound on Skype or Yahoo but it is variable and will depend on the signal level you get wherever it is being used. Can't remember the price of the dongle but I think it is around 15 quid now really not sure. The internet model out there is not driven on bandwidth but on time, which is one thing that is really good, as it is just now Internet costs 200 peso for 5 days using UNLISURF 200 on SmartBro pay as you go. If you are paying for add hoc use it is 10 peso per 30 minutes on SmartBro.
I don't think a dongle will really get good reception in the province thinking about. When the wife tries to call their cellphones reception is very patchy. Its been mentioned on the other forum about a receiver dish on smart but I can't find any info on these, does anyone know anything?
This is what I was able to find, one may just fit the bill for you... http://www.sulit.com.ph/index.php/v...?referralKeywords=satellite+dish+for+internet http://www.yehey.com/products?key=satellite+dish+in+philippines
Smart have or had a broadband device that had a fixed aerial and used to cost about 900 peso a month but I don't know if it is still offered. Satellite connections are likely to be expensive and there is significant latency (delay) on every web request.
So it sounds similar to KU band satellite comms that I use on ship for internet and phone then. It would probably need a service engineer to come out to fit it I'd assume.
Joy uses sun, and it is rubbish Cuts out all of the time.. Think I will encourage her to try SmartBro
SmartBro Quality of Service is extremely variable Sean. Where we live the signal is crap up in Manila or Makati the signal is usually pretty good and the mobile internet on the phone is good in these locations (basically the same as SmartBro). Stu this is the thing I was thinking of http://smart.com.ph/corporate/about/technology/WirelessBroadband.htm Even better they now offer a Wimax SmartBro package http://www.yugatech.com/blog/telecoms/smart-bro-wimax-prices-plans-revealed/
OSS Thanks for that, the wimax looks like a pretty good deal to me. First job when we get to tacloban I think.
Wish I had looked that up last week before I left the Phils Lock in Period is 24 months but Wimax should be a lot better than 3G http://smart.com.ph/bro/products/homebroadband.htm
