Globe Visibility Speed Tests

This is related to Monitoring Globe Visibility for those interested in mobile internet broadband subscriptions.

It is rather tempting, the thought of connecting to the internet wherever you are. But before jumping on the Globe Visibility bandwagon, consider the following:

Globe Visibility Network Coverage
Where to experience 3G/HSDPA in Pasay, Manila, Caloocan, Malabon, Muntinlupa, Quezon City, Makati and Cavite (Bacoor).

PhilMUG thread on Globe's GPRS / 3G / HSDPA (Visibility)
Looks like Makati is not entirely able to take advantage of HSDPA and its 1.4+ Mbps speeds. In fact, reception may even be better in Boracay than in Makati Avenue, although the e220 usb modem can overheat and freeze your computer's OS.

The green light (HSDPA) sometimes flicks to blue (UMTS) every few minutes, long enough to disrupt your connection and your surfing experience. So people say that while Globe Visibilty is faster than PLDT's WeRoam, PLDT's connection is more stable.

A more stable connection means you'll have a happier browsing experience in a moving vehicle.

Someone in Baguio used Globe Visibilty and experienced only 49kbps downstream (about double the speed of a dial-up connection). But when they configured their Huawei PCMCIA card to use 3G by default (instead of GPRS/EDGE), they started getting 321kbps downstream, which is about the speed of a DSL connection. Or perhaps even a bit faster.

Is Globe Visibility worth it? Perhaps. If you will use your mobile internet connection to check e-mail, blog, or even surf a bit when you're not in a deadspot, then it's probably worth it.

I hope Globe increases their HSDPA coverage soon, though.

[ First posted on 10/26/2006 by Manuel Viloria ]