SMART offers "Wi-Fi"?

[berniej]

According to their website:

Introducing Smart Wi-Fi. The revolutionary high-speed broadband internet service of Smart, the leader in wireless innovation. Smart Wi-Fi brings broadband internet into your home by using the nationwide cellular network of Smart to wirelessly connect your computer to the Internet! So now you can surf the Net at broadband speed even if you’re beyond the reach of a phone line.

The service works by simply installing a Smart Wi-Fi antenna at your home which is directed to the nearest Smart cellsite to give you the strongest connection signal possible. And once the antenna is cabled to your home computer, you’re instantly connected and ready to chat, e-mail & surf up to 2x faster than the speed of dial-up!

Get Smart Wi-Fi now! Apply at your nearest PLDT Business Office, Smart Wireless Center or through any accredited Smart or PLDT sales agent.

My question is: does anyone know the coverage of this service? I've been wanting to get a broadband connection at home for the longest time and this might be the ideal solution for now.

Thanks!

[p3rsmag]

Wow this is good news, i hope they give discounts to subscribers!

Been thinking on getting Meridian (who i think also uses Smart cellsites)

[bon]

Weird. I called up *3888 (the toll free number for inquiries) and the agent (some guy named Walter) didn't even know the coverage area of this product. It would seem that their web site jumped the gun and was launched before Smart's call center agents were adequately briefed on the product.

[minimig]

The coverage area should be nation wide unless Meridian hasn't installed their hardware in every Smart cell site yet. BTW Meridian is now owned be Smart.

[johnamon]

does anyone know how and where meridien or smart installs the antennas for this kind of service? are they external or internal (inside the house/condo)? thanks

[minimig]

I usually see them out doors, but once I saw one inside an office right at the window.

[hannibal]

i called up the toll free hotline and the CS representative told me that for NCR, the subscription rate is 988/month for a max speed of 288kbps. plus 500 pesos installation fee. the 788/month promo price is only good for North and South Luzon and VisMin (which basically means they have nationwide coverage).

yes you need to go to their business centers to subscribe and to know more details. great news indeed!

[p3rsmag]

i called up *888

the agent was well informed and gave me a number to call for the Broadband inquiries, is it ok to post it here?

by the way, the operator said the antenna would be outdoor and internal (2) daw if need be. 1,000 pesos installation cost.

[CooLes]

They claim to offer 2x speed of dial-up. So that must be 112kbps? Maybe MyDSL plan 999 for 256kbps could be a better deal.

[bon]

Originally posted by hannibal
i called up the toll free hotline and the CS representative told me that for NCR, the subscription rate is 988/month for a max speed of 288kbps. plus 500 pesos installation fee. the 788/month promo price is only good for North and South Luzon and VisMin (which basically means they have nationwide coverage).

yes you need to go to their business centers to subscribe and to know more details. great news indeed!

Did the CSR say for how long the P788/month promo would be in effect?