ONAT LOPERA

All good things are bound to end, and it just did. I’m talking about the most disappointing change my (soon-to-be “previous”) mobile carrier, Smart Telecom made. They really knew how to kill a mobile geek.

I’ve been surfing everyday through WAP since I got my phone and Opera Mini. I wasn’t complaining before, with rates as low as 25 cents per kilobyte loaded, it was a bargain. Every morning, as soon as I’m awake, I check my email on my phone. Gmail loads pretty quick, a 1-2 kb load at most, and that’s about 1 pesos out of my load. It became a routine. Everytime I want to check something and yet too lazy to open the computer and wait for it while connecting, I surf on my phone. But all good things are bound to end.

I received this sms from Smart a day before May.

FREE ADVISORY: Effective May 1 enjoy lower rates – MMS at Php1.00 Smart2Smart / Php2.00 Smart2Others; 30 mins browsing 4 only Php10.00! See print ads for details.

I looked very cheap at first but after a think-through, I will be charged 10pesos for a 7second surfing? [insert] I did tried it and was charged 10pesos (damn my curiosity). For those who browse longer, that is definitely good news but for the average budget comsumer that just needs a quick fix, that is pure horsecrap! Very inconvenient. They just launched their 3G, why not be cash-whores on that service, most 3G users are quite rich anyway, cash in on them instead! Yes, Smart has the largest number of subscribers and widest coverage but that is soon to end with what they are doing. And now the alternative. I watched how Globe Telecom changed their advertising style and target from a English ad meant for the upper class to Filipino ad for broader mass and even empowering catch phrase. I’ve been seeing good things from them also which is why I am going to switch to Globe, as soon as I get a good grasp of all their services that might be useful to me. I had changed numbers only once since 2000, I lost my phone at Tutuban (I condemn that place now), October 24 between 10:30 to 11am and I won’t mind changing now if what comes with it is better value for my money. Mas lalakas ako sa GLOBE!