Laguna Internet Service Options

We got satellite office in Laguna and the internet connection, let me just put it this way, sucks!? (In part because the complex where the office is stationed, has no choice but to subscribe to Digitel.)

You got bunch of options, just get the lesser evil, err, inferior one.

What do we use…

Currently using a primitive Pacific Internet plan (Plan 888), unlimited dial-up connection. Where we are at, the village is lined with Digitel telephone network. So we use Pacific Internet but using a Digitel dial-up number. Probably, somewhere, somehow, switching in the networks, like say, to PLDT backbone slows down everything. Not to mention, downtime is a normal occurrence. At one point in time, the Digitel dial-up line can not get thru. So you are in the mercy of Digitel-Pacific-PLDT mess-up. (When you have Digitel line, you can not use your line to dial-up PLDT dial-up numbers.)

Since non-connection is sooooo prevalent, our staff sometimes gobble up prepaid card. Who uses prepaid card nowadays? Us. Imagine an enterprise needing to be connected in the internet uses SurfMax prepaid card. And oh by the way, Surfmax is by Pacific. (Funny, when you can’t connect using a postpaid pacific account, just use a pacific prepaid account. Very nice Pacific People.)

What are the options…

Use assorted pre-paid cards. This is really a pain in the rear. Imagine changing SMTP -POP protocols every time you change ISPs.

How about Digitel’s Dial-Up? Been there, Done that. What’s funny is that when we got this service, the payment is per minute. Forget downloading emails with huge attachment, forget Kazaa, forget Yahoo YM, forget ‘em all. You just can’t enjoy being online when your bill is soaring high. (Do they still have this service?)

How about Digitel Broadband? Ouch! Our sister company is using the service and they wish they didn’t get the offer.

How about Smart Wi-Fi? This one is quite funny too, our Laguna residence is connected to the internet thru Smart’s Wi-Fi. In the early weeks of subscription, the service bogged down for a day, then 2, then 3, then 4 or to make it short, full 2 weeks without internet feed.

And the whole family aged, our hairs grayed a bit, added few wrinkles too in dealing with their customer support. In 2 weeks time of following it up, the tech support could only muster the words… We are just having TECHNICAL ACTIVITY (This technical activity was clearly lifted from call agent handbook.) What activity was that? 2 Weeks time? That’s INACTIVITY in my book.

So the Smart Wi-Fi is currently in beta at our home (I am not in Laguna most of the time), I’ll be giving the service evaluation. I’ll be asking my housemates (Pinoy Big Brother inspired), rather siblings if the service is relatively smooth and actually delivering good bandwidth. Until, then, we will be using the primitive Pacific Internet thru Digitel.

Yabada-bada-ba-doo!