The better network
Last Saturday and Sunday, I was at Bicol to attend a two-day family reunion with my mom. But I will not talk about the reunion just yet, I’ll save it for another time. What I want to rant today is our local mobile networks.
Back in the late 90’s, with the introduction of the SMS feature of the cellphone, two major companies fought the mobile wars. Smart Communications owned by the largest telecommunication company in the Philippines which is PLDT, and Globe Telecom owned by the wealthy Ayala Corporation and Singapore Telecommunications. Also lets not forget the other mobile networks such as Mobiline and Islacom, which has a small number of subscribers. Back then, even before the age of SMS, Smart has already launched numerous cellphones out into the market. Remember the Smart BillCrusher prepaid card?
Anyway, I was still in first year college at that time, even before getting my first mobile phone I’ve already chosen my network, which was Smart Communications. I even got my first mobile phone in a Smart kiosk at SM City Fairview which was a Nokia 3210 (which was brand new at that time, pricing at 10k pesos). I chose Smart because of its network capabilities, where every Christmas and New Year brings tons of heavy traffic to the networks, Smart pulled through. I can text my friends and relatives without the worry of a clogged network, that was plaguing Globe Telecom at that time.
Most, if not all of my friends used Smart as their network. Another “bug” that appeared in Smart was the free call and text. That was another reason to use Smart, since by exploiting this bug we can call for long minutes or text for free. In short, I’m a Smart loyalist since getting my first mobile phone, that is until a few months ago.
I bought a Globe SIM (a few months after I bought my Sun SIM) just so I can use its UNLITXT service. This is the “only” reason, back then, to use Globe and also Sun Cellular. But soon I found out another advantage with this network, their network reach.
Last April I went to Palawan, with my cousins, for a 3 day vacation. I brought my 3 mobile phones, each with different SIM cards, Smart, Globe, and Sun. As soon as the plane landed at Palawan, I already knew Sun lost its signal. So as our tour of the islands started, I only carried my 2 phones. The signal was, at most moderate, but what was more noticeable was the signal of Globe which was stronger even if we went from one island to the next. On our next day, we traveled more than 2 hours to the site where we took a boat ride to the Underground River. On that trip I decided to bring only my Globe powered mobile phone and a digital camera. Good thing I left my Smart phone, coz half-way to the port going to the Underground River, Smart lost its signal. I knew that because my aunt was using Smart. My advice when you visit the Underground River at Palawan, bring only your Globe.
Last weekend, I was at Naga City in Bicol. Both mobile networks have strong signal there since that town is already a city, and it is mostly commercialized. But I didn’t spend my 2-day vacation there, but at Goa which is a 1 hour drive from the city. The house, where I was staying is nearer to the cell site of Smart, whereas the Globe cell site was a couple of blocks away. But get this, I need to go out of the house just to use my Smart powered mobile phone. I don’t know why Smart’s signal was weaker than Globe, when its cell site is a lot nearer to my location. Globe was running 2 to 3 (out of 7) bars of signal when I was still inside the house.
Now after using a Smart SIM for more than 7 years, I’ll probably switch to Globe. Which has a stronger signal and wider coverage area. Although I’ve used Smart international roaming when I was at Hong Kong, which performed extremely well when I texted back here in the Philippines. But they say, Globe also performs well on the international arena for mobile networks, which I have yet to test it out.
So if you are planning to visit the provinces here in the Philippines or just island hopping, use Globe Telecom as your mobile network provider as it will save you in a lot of communication troubles. As for me, ang lakas ko talaga sa Globe. ^_^
DISCLAIMER: This blog post is not in any way endorsed or paid by Globe Telecoms, Smart Communications, and the other networks mentioned herein.
I know why you went to Bicol and it’s NOT because of the reunion. Yessssssssssssssssssssss
It’s the reunion. Haha.
pero sa akin smart pari ang better network,dahil malakas ang signal,ang globe mahina ang signal sa nueva ecija..ang smart marami natutulungan ng pilipino filipino..KAYA SMART TAYO–{ ATIN ANGMUNDO”
Thanks for the visit summer. Don’t worry I still haven’t given up on my smart network. It also brings a lot or memories especially that you’ve mentioned, Nueva Ecija ^_^