racoma.com.phJ. Angelo Racoma on technology, economics, writing, problogging, and getting things done

My Bayantel DSL connection has been slow lately, and I’ve been experiencing some intermittent connections. That would’ve been okay if my connection were just for personal use, but since I use it for work, then I can’t afford to be cut off just when timing is critical. I’ve had important chats, VoIP calls and upload cut off and it while it would usually take a few clicks to reconnect (via router) there are some cases when the connection would be down for five minutes or more.

One other thing, I can’t seem to download using bittorrent anymore. Files that used to take 30 minutes to 1 hour of download (like a 350+ MB Linux .ISO file) would now take days. This is disappointing.

I recently received a call from Globe telemarketers (I wonder where they get my contact info) telling me they have a package almost similar to my current Bayan DSL, but only faster. For PhP 1,295 I get a 1 MBPS connection, a landline subscription and some free gadgets like an inkjet printer, webcam and headset.

Personally, I don’t care for the gadgets. I already have an inkjet printer (which also serves as my scanner and copier), and most of my computers have built-in webcams and mics. What I have been looking for is a package that also gives free hours or minutes with local WiFi providers. Globe broadband does offer free one hour Globe WIZ access per month with the PhP 1,295 package. That’s not much, considering that only costs about PhP 100 or so prepad, and that I could connect using my HSDPA enabled mobile phone (thru bluetooth) for only PhP 20 per hour (P5/15 minutes x 4).

I’m not so sure about the reliability of Globe Broadband connection in my area (UP Village), so I would like to get inputs from those who do have experience with Globe. This might help me decide whether to stick to Bayantel or switch.

If you’re a Smartphone user, you should try out Fring. It lets you chat and talk via Yahoo IM, Google Talk, and a host of other IM networks via 3G, GPRS or WiFi. You can even make and receive calls via Skype, Google Talk, FWD and GIZMO over WiFi and 3G networks. Now that’s cool. Imagine if all mobile phones could access these VoIP networks via WiFi. Free calls for everyone!

fring™ is a mobile internet service & community that enables you to access & interact with your social networks on-the-go, make free calls and live chat with all your fring, Skype®, MSN® Messenger, Google Talk™, ICQ, SIP, Twitter, Yahoo!™ and AIM®* friends using your handset’s internet connection rather than costly cellular airtime minutes.

Call quality is above average, and this is highly dependent on the network speed, and of course, the processing capability of your smartphone. On WiFi networks, Skype and SIP calls are good, albeit with some lag, which is expected.

And if you’re an avid IM user, you would love how Fring can keep you connected anywhere there’s a WiFi hotspot or 3G connection. I’ve been using this at my home wireless network for the past few days, and I don’t even have to turn on my computer(s) to IM or VoIP.

Fring has versions for Symbian, Windows Mobile and UIQ, and even the iPhone. That includes most Nokia, Motorola, SonyEricsson, O2, and a host of other Smartphones.

Inspired by a couple of posts by Jeremy Wagstaff (Power Thieves and Power to the Consumer) I thought of compiling a list of establishments in Metro Manila that freely let users plug in their electronic devices like mobile phones, laptops, ultraportables and other devices for charging.

I know that with battery technology and computing architecture these days, you should be able to squeeze out at least three hours of life from your laptop or ultraportable. But there are just those days when you need extra juice.

These establishments usually offer either paid or free WiFi access, whether it be in-house, part of a WiFi hotspot network, or have neighboring establishments that have wireless access.

Here are a few I know. I’ll even include those that charge for electricity. Please feel free to leave a comment if you know of other places.

Quezon City

• Seattle’s Best, Katipunan – some tables even have power outlets for laptop users who want to get the most out of their Globe WIZ (paid) connection.
• Mocha Blends, Matalino Street (near Heart Center) – they charge PhP 50 for every device plugged in.

Any others?

There several things that have gone live as I write this. But let me just talk about one of them (the others deserve some major noise, so I’ll announce them later when they’re already running smoothly). Remember I recently applied for SkyDSL’s DSL+WiFi package? My account is active now, but not without some hitches.

I applied at the BayanCenter by filling up a form (just my name, telephone number and signature, actually). I was an existing DSL subscriber, after all. After a day I got a call from Sky DSL’s technical staff and they gave me the username and password to my account. Username was actually my telephone line’s account number, and the password, a randomly-generated number. They advised me to wait for activation, but I tried and tried logging in via the airborneaccess.net Horizon account manager, to no avail.

So I called up Sky DSL’s customer service (411-2000) to follow up. They said I should click the Blast WiFi link on the airborneaccess.net homepage to sign up. I realized that the username/password combination they gave me was for registration and not for WiFi access itself. They should’ve told me that in the first place! I guess the same process goes for PLDT DSL and Smart BRO subscribers.

(Incidentally, did you know that you can access Airborne Access using Blast prepaid internet cards? Just append @wifi to the username.)

So after activation, I tried checking my account via the Horizon link. Still, it wouldn’t accept my username and password. I was increasingly becoming frustrated. But then I tried checking using the Wingspan link (for prepaid), and lo and behold—I was able to gain access. Apparently, Airborne Access treats SkyDSL subscribers as something similar to pre-paid accounts rather than the unlimited Horizon accounts. I just got confused, since my previous promo account with SkyDSL was a Horizon account.

I was able to use my account at a public Airborne Access hotspot this afternoon, and I can say I’m glad to have an unlimited account again—without having to pay the regular Horizon rates. Boo yah!

I was quite surprised with Abe’s latest post, where he shares that PLDT DSL is bundling in WiFi access with their plans. High-end plans get it free, while lower-end ones have to pay PhP 99 per month (promo price; regular price is PhP 199 per month) for unlimited access via AirborneAccess.

I was thinking of asking someone with PLDT DSL or even Smart BRO since my unlimited AA account has already run out.

But then I checked Bayantel’s promo page, and I discovered they’re offering a similar service. You just have to add PhP 99 to your DSL subscription monthly to get unlimited AirborneAccess access. This is good for 12 months, then afterwards the rate will be PhP 199.

That’s just an additional ~ $2 per month. Not bad! If you have to pay prepaid, then PhP 100 is just good for one hour!

This is great for us mobile workers/telecommuters. I used to enjoy unlimited WiFi much, since I sometimes worked at WiFi-enabled cafes instead of just staying at my home office. Since my unlimited account expired, I just used prepaid those few times I get to access at WiFi-enabled cafes.

AA reload is quite expensive compared to these bundled packages. I believe a month’s subscription will set you back PhP 950. A six month reload is PhP3,500, while a year’s reload is PhP 6,500. With these PhP 99 services, a year’s worth of unlimited access will just be PhP 1,118! Even if you make it PhP 199 per month, that’s just PHP 2,388 per year!

Now if they could just also hook up with Globe. Some areas are Globe WIZ only, like Greenbelt, Glorietta, etc. Count on the Ayalas to set up a WiFi monopoly in their territory!