Smart LTE Testing in Boracay
If you’re to ask me, the fastest internet connection speed that I have experienced was 62Mbps back when I was deployed in Osaka in Japan for work last year. I’m not sure though if it was the fastest internet in Japan at that time but maybe it is safe to assume that it is above the average. My internet connection back then was from the data cable used to deliver content to my internet television.
Speedtest.net results of my apartment’s internet connection in Osaka.
It was fun while it lasted. I was able to stream YouTube videos in high definition without worrying of the occasional pauses we usually experience here in the Philippines. Downloading files and other stuff (if you know what I mean with other stuff) from the internet has never been that fast. Files that will usually take hours in Manila to download will only take seconds or minutes in Osaka. It was pure bliss. Everything was fast.
But it didn’t last long. I had to go back to Manila and endure my 512Kbps DSL line at home. My officemates used to say, one of the things you will miss the most is the fast internet connection. It has always been that way here in our country. A normal telephone-bundled service usually delivers the slowest of speeds and getting a higher speed is also not an assurance of getting the promised speeds. But I believe that it wouldn’t be long before we move out from our third-world turtle fast internet speeds.
Fast internet download speed
I have high hopes that it wouldn’t be that long before we can experience true first-world internet service quality. In fact, I was able to experience internet speeds of first-world qualities last weekend after Smart Telecoms flew us to Boracay to test the country’s first LTE working infrastructure.
A photo of the LTE dongle Smart lent us. It’s one of the only four that exists in the country.
As explained by Smart, Smart Evolution, as they have branded it, is one of the two existing 4G infrastructures (HSPA+ is the other one) used in mobile telecommunications which promises actual download speeds of 70Mbps (around 35 times faster than that of the current 3G speeds). During the demonstration, when used with a CPE, Smart was able to demonstrate a speedtest.net result of 58Mbps, that’s around three or four notches lower than that of my NTT download speeds in Osaka, Japan. Using the LTE dongle renders a download speed of 35.51 Mbps. The decrease in speed is due to the limitations of the hardware itself.
Display shows a 58.19Mbps download speed using SmartLTE on a CPE
Download speed of SmartLTE when used with an LTE dongle
So what does having 50~Mbps worth of download speed mean to us Filipinos? I have listed several of my reasons.
With 50Mbps download speed, I can now…
- become more productive since I can virtually eliminate the time I waste waiting for a page to be downloaded and viewer or for a photo to be uploaded and posted.
- download files faster than I can imagine.
- upload videos to YouTube, Vimeo and other media hosting websites without having to leave my computer turned overnight while waiting for large high definition videos to be uploaded.
- view streaming contents (podcasts, HD videos, music, etc.) without the fear of getting caught by the unbuffered contents.
- download updates for my operating system, games and software at faster speeds.
- watch rented movies on my internet television without buffer delays.
- upload more photos and videos at a lesser time.
- achieve better voice and video qualities when talking on skype.
- do a lot more….
There are still lots of things I can think of if ever I’m getting an internet connection as fast as Smart’s LTE but maybe I can hold on to that thought for the meantime since Smart LTE is not yet scheduled for commercial release until the end of the year. But hey, at least we have something really exciting to look forward to.
:)
18 Responses to “Smart LTE Testing in Boracay”
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Originally sharing his experiences of being a "yagit" in Davao, he now tries to find his luck in the busy district of Makati. He still finds time to blog and go on weekend trips despite his hectic schedule. Join Batang Yagit, now that he has developed from "rags" to a more abundant supply of rags.
Ok to ah. Importante talga ang mabilis na Internet connection. Ako, kapag nagloloko ang wireless ko, naku, nakaka-inis talaga, nakakayamot. toinks.
Masubukan nga itong Smart LTE. Pero indi pa pala available? Gamitin ko sana sa Cebu. hehe. I have to check out about the cost kapag na release na. Thanks for sharing Wins! 8-)
hindi pa siya commercially available noy pero Cebu is definitely in Smart’s list. :)
Ganun bah? Ah ok. Ayuz! Sarap nito. 50-Mbps. :yes:
Ang sarap mag YouTube. hahaha. Ang bilis eh.
hmmm, the speed is there but my big question is the rate if maging commercially available na po sya?
Hoping Roxas City will be in list rin ;)
As far as I know, Smart will be deploying this nationwide. Similar to 3G when it was first introduced, the key cities get the technology first then followed by other provinces. So most likely, Roxas City will be getting this din soon.
Commercial availability is scheduled at the end of the year according to Smart. :)
With 50Mbps download speed, I can now…download files & OTHER STUFF faster than I can imagine. *evil grin* lol
Hope Davao is in Smart’s list also. :)
Davao is part of the key cities. Most likely, Davao will be getting this sooner than any other cities.
I can’t wait to test it out here in Manila. If it does deliver, then I might subscribe to Smart :P Let’s see :P
Achi, I’m excited din about this. If ever it will be affordable, I’m definitely getting this at home. :)
This is really true! Internet connection speed really does matter on your efficiency in working online.This is a very helpful information that we need to know that somehow someway, its not just all about corruption – we have high hopes for this kind of thing!
LA VIVA EL FILIPINA!
Ang galing naman nito. Nakakainggit nga yung connection mo dun sa Osaka. Naglalaway ako habang binabasa ko yung post mo na yun dati. :D Tapos eto na yung sa Smart, nakakaWOW! Very promising. :D
wala bang magpapacontest ng ganito hahahaha
interesting points you mentioned abt the advantages of the faster download speed. abangan ko nga din yan pagcommercially availble na. thanks for spreading this good news! :jump:
Now, how can I avail of this fast internet connection from Smart? :)
Hi Dylan, it’s not yet commercially available eh. Projected availability of this product is last quarter this year. :)
I am still waiting doon sa commercially available plans. Yung gamit ko ngayon is Globe na 4G mabilis talaga sya pero kailangan nasa window nakalagay.
May nakita ako sa net 4G LTE stick http://bit.ly/xgBm2L