I’ve written several blogs about how dissatisfied I was with the various ISP’s that I’ve contracted over the past few years. I’ve had terrible experiences with PLDT MyDSL, Bayantel, Globe Tattoo and Smart. The worst among all of them though would probably be my old Smart Bro connection when I was still living in Visayas Avenue in Quezon City. I know that I’m not alone in this since I hear similar horror stories when I talk to friends and when I read the comments on my old blog posts. That said, I want to support Congressman Mong Palatino’s recent call for Congress to probe the “substandard” DSL services we’re getting here in the Philippines.
Here’s an excerpt from the Yahoo article:
A lawmaker representing the youth sector has filed a resolution urging the House of Representatives to look into standards that are supposed to be followed by broadband Internet service providers in the country. Kabataan party-list Rep. Raymond Palatino filed last week House Resolution 407 asking the House Committee on Information and Communications Technology to conduct an inquiry “on the quality of broadband internet services delivered by commercial telecommunications companies” in the country. Palatino, who used to be a blogger before his youth-based group won a seat in Congress, said consumers continue to complain of problems related to broadband Internet access, including limited area coverage and slow connection speeds. “Most of the promos, packages and features being advertised by broadband providers are deceptive. Thousands of Filipino internet users complain of substandard services, slow internet speed, limited coverage, unfair fees and hidden charges,” he said in a statement. He added that the House body should call on the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), telecommunication firms and various consumer groups in its hearing to help Congress draft appropriate laws to address Internet access problems.
“Communications and access to information is a public good… The government should be stricter in monitoring whether services are complying [with] standards,” he said.
I’ll closely be monitoring this issue and will post regular updates as they come.
That would be a relief, if the internet service in the Philippines is scrutinized. I’m on SmartBro Shareit and for a month now there was VERY interrupted service at home. Two weeks straight with no connection and another two with only a few hours connection every other day.
I pity those who use their internet for work. Right now, I’m at a cafe just so I can go online. Hayz.
Yikes. But you still pay SmartBro Shareit?
Hi! I’m disputing my Sept-Oct bill. My mistake was to rely on the Hotline people, who just told me to wait because the service is experiencing signal problems in certain areas. When I finally went to the SmartCenter on Ayala, I was given some answers on what was happening. Apparently, the problem could have been a defective modem and that we should take the unit to a service center.
When I asked the Hotline if I should do that, way back in September, the agents told me “no” and insisted that the problem was in the area servers.
I’m lucky that I work in Makati so it won’t be so much of a hassle to keep dropping by the Smartcenter. The people there at least know how to solve problems.
Full support tayo dyan. Keep us updated Carlo
If they need help from the end-users, sign me up.
I’m using smart bro in my place and Smart Bro has good connection compared to Globe and Bayantel…those 2 suck… I tried using bayantel but didn’t finish the contract coz of their really really slow connection plus the customer service is bad. I switched to Globe, because they have this bundled service like you get 1mb speed something like that plus the phone shits like that, so i grabbed the opportunity and then for a month, i was like “why do i always get cut off?” now, i’m kinda sticking with smart bro now, coz of the stable connection not fast but at least I always dnt cut off…
Please do update us through your blog regarding Cong. Palatino’s proposed inquiry. better if you could join in as a resource person from the customer’s side. more power!
It’s about time
If this pushes the Philippines to have Broadband connections speed like in other countries I’m all for it! Always hate the interruptions and the (sometimes) absurd cost of the net! :p