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Tag Archives: smart

Beta-Testing the Smart-LTE 4G Technology

Just came back from the Smart Jump Experience Center at SM Megamall to claim my package:

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What’s inside the package? The LTE device (Huawei E392), a Quick User Guide, and a Smart Bro SIM Pack:

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I am one of the chosen few to beta test Smart Evolution …

SMART-LTE, or Long Term Evolution, represents 4G technology, the latest in broadband tech. This groundbreaking innovation can handle blistering download speeds up to 42 Mbps. Its low latency rate also makes it ideal for streaming HD video, online games, video conferencing, and other high bandwidth apps.

Thank you very much to Smart Communications for this privilege! Please do check my blog from time to time as I post the results of my LTE test around the difference places in Metro Manila.

Smart Bro Pocket WiFi Application FAIL!

Another classic example on how mobile services in this country never fails to disappoint me …

Last 08 APR 2011, 21 days ago, I applied for a Smart Bro Pocket WiFi online, and just minutes later a certain Marc Arllan A. Laban-laban (Project Staff, Sales Strategies & System, Smart Communications, Inc.) sent me an email together with the application form. Within minutes, I sent him back the duly accomplished application form, together with all the requirements via facsimile – as instructed in the email he sent.

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Upon sending the requirements and the duly accomplished application form to this Marc Arllan Laban-laban, I immediately sent an email asking for confirmation if he did received the documents – no (immediate) response was received. Three (03) days later, 11 APR 2011, I sent a follow-up email asking if this Marc Arllan Laban-laban received the application form, together with documentary requirements I sent via facsimile, and he did called me up on my mobile asking for more documentary requirements – thus, I sent him my latest Smart Gold bill.

Follow-ups from my end had been made daily, until 14 APR 2011 when this Marc Arllan Laban-laban replied to my email (a couple of them, actually) stating: “Hi sir. I apologize for late reply. I’ll follow up your application today. – Marc” – this was the last communication I received from him.

I thought that I will be able to use the Pocket WiFi during the long holiday break, but it was an exercise in futility of imagination.

Today, 29 APR 2011 – some 21 days after the application has been sent to Marc Arllan Laban-laban, I called Smart Bro Hotline to make a follow-up on whatever happened to the documents I submitted. Surprise! Surprise! Smart Bro Hotline cannot find the application form I accomplished and submitted via facsimile to Marc Arllan Laban-laban last 08 APR 2011! What a shame on me tantamount to stupidity?! I am making a follow-up and it seems that this Marc Arllan Laban-laban did not submitted the application form, together with the document requirements to the unit that will handle (will process) my application. Tried calling the number gave to me by this Marc Arllan Laban-laban, and that office (telemarketers, shame on you!) advised me that he was transferred to another department (why didn’t you just kicked him out?!) and they cannot locate my application!

Minutes after I banged the telephone to these telemarketers trying to fool around me, asking me to just drop by a Smart Wireless Center to fill-up an application form, etc. a certain Ryan Jara called my mobile telling me that his guy left an application form at home today. He asked me to accomplish the form and to submit all of the requirements to a Smart Wireless Center. WHAT?! Are you kidding?! Or are you plain STUPID?! I waited for 21 days and now you’re telling me to go back to square one?!

This is really how you treat your loyal subscribers?!

Something Big & Free from Smart!

I came across this Facebook ad from Smart Communications:

Can’t help but wonder why Smart is having a new promo that is open for 18 and up only. And what will be this something BIG and FREE?

Will Smart be launching an adult-themed service or wapsite? (::grin::) Is Smart having a tie-up with any leading beer company or cigarette manufacturer?

Surfing to the Smart Communications, Inc. Facebook page and I saw this 18 & Up ;) tab, which is also saying something BIG and FREE is coming by end of this month. What could it be? Be the first to know by simply “liking” the Smart Communications, Inc. FB page.

Please do visit my site regularly for updates on this something BIG and FREE from Smart.

Pinoy BlackBerry Messenger Users

Ever since I started using a BlackBerry, my dilemma was that the BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) seems to be an impotent application that eats up precious storage space in my older RIM units. But when I got hold of the BlackBerry Bold 9700, it changed my perception of this nifty tool. Coupled with a decent data plan, I find the BBM a cost-effective solution for your day-to-day messaging; side-by-side with SMS.

Imagine, you can use BBM to send messages to your colleagues who are abroad, eliminating the high cost of sending SMS to a foreign-based mobile number — or even from a different telco.

A lot of Filipinos are now experiencing the beauty of BlackBerry — both the handheld units and the service — thanks to the promos and loyalty (retention) programs being offered by the two giant networks here in RP: GlobePH and Smart.

Share your experiences, problems, tips-and-tricks, etc. about the BlackBerry online at our homegrown online community BlackBerry Pinoys (http://www.blackberrypinoy.info). If you use BBM, simply scan my bar code above or add my PIN 2857CEFC.

Mabuhay ang Pinoy BlackBerry users!

Switching to Sky Broadband; Ditching Smart Bro

Last Friday, 12 Jun 2009 — the entire Philippines is celebrating the commemoration of its 111th Independence Day — the Sky Broadband servicing team finally made their way to install their cable modem at our place.

With Smart Bro, here’s what I get:

Now, with Sky Broadband (same monthly subscription fee with Smart Bro):

With the same MSF (Monthly Service Fee) as with Smart Bro, I will no longer be in contact with lousy customer service agents and no more long lines of queue at their business centers just for a simple request to be done. The Sky Broadband customer service is indeed very good — cannot be matched by Smart nor Globe.