Why do Filipinos still think 3G is expensive?

I’m using Sun Broadband Unlimited P799.oo, I used to think it was expensive… but now that I use the internet regularly, it is well worth it to have Unli connection… Maybe usage of 3G connection is done rarely will you feel that it is expensive…Thanks Sir

Where i usually go to download large files 100mb or more, they only charge P15 per hour. Besides 3g is not that widespread. Here in olongapo where i live, globe and sun has no 3g. I think if the telcos will provide unlimited packages, more people will use and view 3g as cheap.

I agree with all those points. I’d rather look for a free wifi hotspot (which is so common nowadays anyway) than use my phone’s 3G.

sobra naman “why do FILIPINOS still think…”

my friends and colleagues and a lot of people that i know who use smart, sun, and globe’s 3G service believe that it is reasonable not expensive.

maybe you are talking about those people who cannot afford to get 3G capable phone, pc or laptop. siempre mahal yun sa kanila, di nga sila bumibili ng mid range or high end na gadget eh.

sana ginawa mo nalang why do SOME filipinos. wala ka din naman kinuhanan ng data. may survey ka bang ginawa?

I think it is a waste. I live in the hear of Manila city and neither Globe or Smart works here. So I did not bother trying Sun anymore as to not waste my money. I don’t think that other think it is expensive, I think what they’re trying to say is it is a waste of money.

Its not cheap!! its actually FREE! Im using opera mini 4.2 and ebuddy instant messenger, yes you heard me! Its free!!! Even if i dont have any load, im using globe prepaid. Google this “om 4.2 thormentor”. I bet sir yuga will enjoy this! Just dont tell the telcos bout this sir yuga, u have my trust. Ciao

It’s still really a personal preference. Some of my friends use it regularly, some don’t use it at all.

Reliability is the crucial factor, if only telcos would address this issue, then more people would use it on a regular basis.

3G appears to be expensive kahit sabihin natin na PhP20 lang ang rate kada oras kasi nga kagaya ng nasabi kanina it really is bundled to a high end phones or better yet smatphones and netbooks… meron ngang available na murang 3G phones yet hindi capable ng browsing na umaapela sa masa and mostly nagagamit lang as a modem! ngayon nagiging mura ang 3G dahil sa tingin ng iba meron silang magagandang pampalit sa PC on the GO gaya ng mga high end phones and netbooks na hindi naman kasama sa budget ng marginalized community ayun lang hehe ;))

Many Filipinos still think it’s expensive because it’s not free. Personally, I think it’s cheap but not very reliable when you’re on the move, like downloading podcasts on the bus. Actually, my Globe 3G is faster than my Smart Bro with fixed antenna at home when using my smartphone.

*Omit the “a” on the “a private browsing..” :)

Hi Abe,

I don’t think it’s expensive either. But your final statements have made the argument about the price of 3G tells exactly why people don’t like paying for 3G (unless unlimited):

“The only compelling reason why I think 3G is cheap for me is because of mobility.”

3G for both networks (Sun doesn’t have it here in Iloilo) is highly unreliable. The only way to have a reliable connection is to pay for the PHP999 a month and its not mobile. The unlimited mobile 1,500 has never given me any decent 3G connection. Out of the need to have consistent internet, I stayed to what I have: a crumpy GPRS here in my small town.

Im using unlimited 3G mobile prepaid internet here in Germany for roughly PHP1600 plus per month, the connection is always very good. At home im using smart 3G mobile and in my area its 3G connection but the speed is very disappointing. WE are just paying for a “nice promise” from internet providers. That makes the 3G expensive in the Philippines.

Filipinos are not yet well informed when it comes to 3G technology…

Availability is my issue here, being in an area where 3G is not available. Only get to use it when there’s a connection. I don’t find this service expensive, though.

I think that 3G is expensive IF and ONLY IF the connection is slow and you are on “time charge”. I am a user of Globe Tatoo Kit and I used my postpaid sim in accessing internet. Yes, it is cheap that you have a wireless internet on the go for just P20 per hour. BUT sometimes, the connection is too slow that dial up connection is faster. In that case, definitely, 3G is expensive. I hope the telecom companies should continuously upgrade their facilities.

Internet access through 3G is a good thing, the down side being its limited availability and slow speed. This issue on speed is what makes it “expensive” in the long run. Only when the providers address these issues could we say “praise be the 3G”. It’s been a while since we have this service, but it’s clear the telcos have not done any “addressing” to that effect. Or have I missed it? Don’t they know that when a consumer pays for something, he/she wants it N-O-W? After all, they are so quick to demand the “NOW” part when they send us the bill.

Product superlatives from the telcos notwithstanding, 3G in this country as of now is next to worthless.

In the meantime, lug that laptop to a wifi hotspot and do your browsing, or work your office computer to the bone for your http://www’s. After office hours when the boss is gone, of course. LOL!

@ Jill

wow, i really thought you were serious with the last part. whew!

it should not even be called 3G if the speed limit is just at EDGE’s or GPRS’ rate. how could both smart and globe sell their devices when 3G isn’t available nationwide. oh it can go as fast as 2mbps! yes that part! very misleading indeed. someone would think that it runs at 2mbps when they made it clear that it can go as high as that when you are not looking.

at least sun cellular pointed out that 3G service is only available in metro manila at the moment.

shame on you GLOBE and SMART!!! shame on you!

….. those who say that 3G is expensive take into account the lifestyle choices they make on a daily basis. Sure, on a nominal peso rate 3G is on par with internet cafes, and definitely cheaper than paid Wifi. But as a user, I find using 3G only when there is no Wifi, which is rare in places where I use my laptop (libraries, coffee shops, malls).

EDGE can carry data speeds up to 236.8 kbit/s (with end-to-end latency of less than 150 ms) for 4 timeslots (theoretical maximum is 473.6 kbit/s for 8 timeslots) in packet mode. This means it can handle four times as much traffic as standard GPRS. EDGE meets the International Telecommunications Union’s requirement for a 3G network, and has been accepted by the ITU as part of the IMT-2000 family of 3G standards. It also enhances the circuit data mode called HSCSD, increasing the data rate of this service. EDGE is part of ITU’s 3G definition and is considered a 3G radio technology — wikipedia

Malamang 80-90% sa MM, EDGE lang ang 3G

Only my last recourse.
They have a long way to go.
Telcos should address intermittent and dropped
connections to make it more marketable.

because 3G must be free!!

Here in bacolod, 10php/hr nga lang ang sa internet cafe(gaming and browsing na),. medyo mahal pa ang 20php pra mag 3G sa smartphone q. tapos halos lahat ng schools and some other resto ay may free wifi na,

mahal tagala pag 3G, kung 8php/hr cguro madami tatangkilik nyan.

The time will eventually come when this 3G will get devoured by wifi. Used to be that 3G meant “hi-tech” phone, but phones are already on wifi now.

So far it has been seen as untrustworthy and it seemed the telcos are not doing anything to improve it. Maybe the technology is unreliable in itself.

But take heart, all our rantings would soon be over. Wifi is here!

3G internet ripped me off by whooping 50t pesos! I thought texting was the culprit of my sky rocket Globe bill when I go abroad. This time, in France, for 3weeks of my logging on YM and updating Facebook, it’s as worse as calling abroad and chatting for hours, that sucks!