Globe's Mobile WiFi Ripoff

[Dave Hounddriver]

5 hours ago, Reboot said:

I had wifi installed in my apartelle. I was there for 6 weeks. But I needed reliable wifi. And not just for fun. It was a work connection.

There's my answer to what kind of people would do that.  Someone who needs the Internet enough that money is no object.  Problem would be that it likely took a week to get installed so you only had it for 5 of the 6 weeks, or did you get express lane service?

[Reboot]

10 minutes ago, Dave Hounddriver said:

There's my answer to what kind of people would do that.  Someone who needs the Internet enough that money is no object.  Problem would be that it likely took a week to get installed so you only had it for 5 of the 6 weeks, or did you get express lane service?

I had it installed before I even arrived in the country. Had relatives handle it who run internet cafes, so they know a few things (and people). And yes, basically, money wasn't an object. Having decent internet is a make or break for me if I am going to be away that long.

[Dave Hounddriver]

1 hour ago, Reboot said:

Having decent internet is a make or break for me

In every topic, there is an exception.  I am wondering why you (and the op) chose those specific accommodations if Internet is the number one thing on your list of must-haves?  Were there no other choices with good Internet?

[bows00]

1 hour ago, Dave Hounddriver said:

I am wondering why you (and the op) chose those specific accommodations if Internet is the number one thing on your list of must-haves? 

This was my first experience with pocket WiFi.  The AirBnB owner stated in the description of the apartment but I overlooked it.  Live and learn.  

But like I stated earlier, there is always a silver lining to everything.  I am getting out of the house more often and have found several cool coffee shops to hang out of and have met some cool people (including two Filipna's).  

[Reboot]

15 hours ago, Dave Hounddriver said:

In every topic, there is an exception.  I am wondering why you (and the op) chose those specific accommodations if Internet is the number one thing on your list of must-haves?  Were there no other choices with good Internet?

This was at a smaller provincial town (Tandag, Surigao del Sur). I don't have a wealth of options there, which is why I've never stayed for more than a few days (I have done Cebu and Manila for extended stays). But this time we were going to stay in my wife's town so our baby could be there with her family, and she could be with them too.

There aren't many decent choices there to stay that are livable and have good internet. When I finally did find such a place, it had no internet (access but no installed connection). So I installed it. It was 3 bedroom with aircon in each room. One for me. One for maid/babysitter, and one for a friend I brought from the states (best man at my wedding). Water pressure sucked though. I went near a month without using a shower. Once I have a place built to my own specs it won't be a problem to stay there anymore, I hope.

 

Edited August 12, 2018 by Reboot

[Reboot]

On 8/10/2018 at 2:39 AM, bows00 said:

Good question.  On a positive note, I  find myself going out way more often for the WiFi hot spots.  And yes, I find it therapeutic as it forces me to cut back on my porno.  But on the negative side, I find myself overly malibog throughout the day (ha!).

I asked my wife what "malibog" means. The bisaya word didn't make sense in the context of your post. So she googled what it meant in tagalog...that was a very interesting bunch of links!   Then one thing led to another and....it was a good Saturday afternoon. 

Edited August 12, 2018 by Reboot

[GBT62]

I have found the AirBNB "included" wifi's here are generally as bad as the "free" wifi's in most hotels here (and back in Aussie).

I picked up one of those Globe At Home Prepaid Wifi Routers for trips here - if the included Wifi is less than stellar. It's good insurance when you rely on access for work - even when on a break  

Was surprised on my trip back to AU last month - the hotel wifi at 3 places was simply rubbish. Of course, all 3 were free, so no real interest is given to resolve it - so a decent Phone SIM Data plan saved the day again.

[Jollygoodfellow]

12 minutes ago, GBT62 said:

I have found the AirBNB "included" wifi's here are generally as bad as the "free" wifi's in most hotels here (and back in Aussie).

Not if you make sure they are not pocket WIFI and are wired in like skycable. 

[OnMyWay]

13 hours ago, Jollygoodfellow said:

Not if you make sure they are not pocket WIFI and are wired in like skycable. 

When I was shopping for Air Bnb condos near MOA (SEA residences and SHELL residences), almost all included free wired internet and most said it was "fast", sometimes even saying which company it was from and the speed.  A few had pocket wifi and even had a picture of the unit.  I automatically passed on those because the pocket wifi indicated to me that the landlord was a cheapskate and most likely they would skimp on other things in the condo too.

[robert k]

I just put Globe load on my phone and pay as you go, 5 php per 15 minutes, unlimited in that you won't be throttled, you still only get whatever speed is available. I was able to download Skyrim Elder Scrolls V, 10 GB in about 40 minutes with speeds ranging from 1.5 -3.2 mbp/s so 15 php. Turn it off when you aren't using it. Globe does my heavy lifting. Just put load on your phone, don't! select a promo and turn data on and you are automatically on pay as you go. I use a dual SIM phone and Smart works best for me day to day with the Giga50, 1GB data plus 300 MB YouTube, plus the current free hour of YouTube. Once again, turn off when not using. The thing about the Smart Giga promo is the data rolls over as long as you register again before the previous promo expires. I just registered again and I have 3.5 GB of "shareable" data at the moment. I also recommend using Smart load cards of 500 php denomination because there may be(85) free texts, I believe I have about 500 texts at the moment just from loading the phone over the last year. This fits my lifestyle for now and may be at least a workable option for the OP for now, IE, pay as you go on a phone for globe.

Many plans seem to be about providing the least while extracting the most. Hope you find something that works for you.