SMART WiFi Rebranded, SMART Bro

Marck V. Wednesday - Apr 26, 2006 20

Smart BroSMART WiFi gets a new name — SMART Bro. Smart Comunications Inc. has unveiled on April 21, 2006 in their press release that its fixed wireless broadband will be now called SMART Bro – Amazing Wireless Broadband.

I don’t know what’s the reaction of current SMART WiFi subscribers about this news; however, what I’m sure about is that there are still complains about SMART broadband service. Some reported that the increasing number of subscribers in SMART broadband services had adverse effects on its service quality. Lately, SMART started improving its network facilities by installing upgraded routers (not new?). The network backbone was also upgraded up to a capacity of 10 Gbps but the exact number of core backbones is unknown. Let us hope they have added redundant WAN links in between core backbones to avoid frequent disconnections and limited connectivities.

It’s also a relief that Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) will stop rebranding the same wireless internet service. From now on, PLDT will be reselling SMART Bro in place of myDSL-W instead. That’s practical and more consumers-friendly because getting rid of the 2 annoying brands (SMART WiFi and PLDT myDSL-Wireless), the consumer won’t be confused about the true meaning of DSL and Wifi anymore. At last, PLDT and SMART heard the voice of IT professionals and stopped playing with the hype of WiFi and DSL branding.

If rebranding this old service will bring about changes, let’s hope for the best and wish every SMART Bro subscribers the best of luck.

DISCLAIMER: I’m NOT affiliated with SMART and/or PLDT at all.

Btw, are you aware that there’s Smart bro (not the wireless broadband service). It’s a tabbed browser from Mind Vision Software… eeerrrr?

Links:
Go to SMART Bro official website
Smart: SMART WiFi is now SMART Bro
Smart+Bro, Smart+WiFi, PLDT, MyDSL


POSTED IN » Business, Insights
  • http://maiah.filcode.com maiah

    Well I’m a living testimony… Smart Wifi sucks :P

  • Bong

    ok ang smart bro mas mabilis at di nag loloko sana mas gumanda pa ang serbisiyo sana tuloy tuloy na ito sana mas pgandahin p nila pra maibalik nila ang tiwala ng mga tao

  • Jeff

    Oo nga naman dapat magbago na kayo SMART kc nakakahiya ginagawa nyo niloloko nyo kami mag bago n kayo ano isusunod nyo na name pag nanloko p kayo alam ko na SMART SIS db ok? mag bagoooooooooooooooooooooo naaaaaaaaaaaa kayoooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!! binabayaran namin kayo ng tamaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! kaya ayusin nyo naman ang buhay nyo

  • Bong

    nag palit lang po ng name ang SMART WIFI pero ang serbisiyo ganun din kaya wag na pong magpaloko dati kaming SMART WIFI SUBSCRIBER my tumawag smin n operator tinanong nmin kung pano kung gus2 nmin magplipat sa SAMRT BRO para mas bumilis sb nya smin pwede n daw nya ilipat ang connection nmin s SMART BRO nung time n kusap nmin sya after 25minutes nk SMART BRO n daw ang connection namin tinanong nmin kung my pplitan n mga gamit sb wala daw kung ano yung antenna at mga gamit wala n daw pplitan dun kya pumayag kmi my pina download smin net stat live ang name dun daw makikita kung bumilis n ang connetion nung time n yun mejo mbilis kinabukasan balik sa dati gang ngun MABAGAL my time din na THE PAGE CANNOT BE DISPLAYED bakit kya d nila maayos nang tama ang serbisiyo nila binabayaran naman natin sila nang tama 7x faster bka 7x slower than dial-up AYUSIN NYO NMAN YAN KALA KO TAPOS N SAKIT NG ULO KO PAG LUMIPAT AKO SA smart bro D P RIN PALA NADAGDAGAN P NANG 11 PESOS AYUSIN NYO NMAN YAN NANG TAMA NAG BBYAD KMI S INYO NANG TAMA!!!

  • http://members.shaw.ca/npcd NPCD

    It is a smart move for Smart Communications in changing the brand name for their wireless internet service and removing the noun “WiFi” from the brand name of their wireless internet service, which does not seem to be a real WiFi network in its standards.

    Foremost, “WiFi” is already a registered trademark in itself and should be used in accordance to the limits of the trademark and its standards. The term “WiFi” is a registered trademark of the WiFi Alliance and is intended to describe and establish the standards of 802.11 data networks.

    If Smart Communications’ wireless internet network configuration does not abide the established WiFi standards, then Smart Communications does not have the privilege to use the term “WiFi” in any of their statements to describe their wireless internet service.

    It seems that Smart Communications has finally realized the extents, consequences, and industry standards in using the term “WiFi”. In changing and removing the term “WiFi” in their wireless internet service, it has eradicated definite causes of confusion with their service and WiFi technology with its established standards. (Refer to comments numbers 22, 23, 26, 51, and 58 in the site: http://mv.vexite.com/?p=101 .

    Oh well, improving the name does not always equate to improving the service though… Good luck to all Smart Communications wireless subscribers… May the broadband internet connection be with you…

  • http://bsc.edu.ph Jerome N. Ramirez

    I’m presently using a 788 plan. I want to upgrade this to 988 but even the smart *1888 can not give me an accurate answer as to where and who or what to contact.
    I was directed to contact the agent where I first applied my internet. Will you please give me the right person who I can talk to so my query will be answered and so I can upgrade my plan as soon as possible.
    Can I expect an answer asap?
    Thank you very much.

  • http://bsc.edu.ph Jerome N. Ramirez

    Wala akong complain so far. My connection is excellent. I’m applying for an upgrade of my plan though so I hope there will be no adverse effect when a higher plan is approved and in use then.
    Tips to all those who are always complaining: use a pipe long antenna and put it on top of your house. Dito sa Malaybalay City, lahat ng friends ko na my wi-fi connection ay impressed sa SMART internet.
    Mabuhay and SMART-WIFI.

  • xxx himoura xxx

    ang tae tae ng service… sarap nga gawan ng comic strip ni pol medina e

    !ano saabihin mo pag may tumawag at nanghinngi ng support?
    :im sorry po for the invonvenience .. observe nyo po after 24 hrs pag ganyan parin.. tawag po kayo uli sa amin.
    ! nice .. e tumagaw uli kinabukasan ano sasabihin mo?
    :im sorry po for the invonvenience .. observe nyo po after 24 hrs pag ganyan parin.. tawag po kayo uli sa amin.
    ! e inulit mo lang e
    : yun lang tinuro sa amin ng trainer namin sa call center na yun e.

    at saka ang pogi ng sinasabi sa costumer suppot
    for smart bro press 1
    for BARANGAY BRO press2
    barangay????? ano un pag wala si pinoy big bro, kay capitan ka ng barangay tatawag WTF.

    at ang babait ng mga customer suppot.. im sorry im sorry im sorry im sorry…

    nilalagay ko na po sa report.. nilalagay ko na po sa report..

    sir wag po kayo sumigaw.. sir wag po kayo sumigaw sir wag po kayo sumigaw..

    kayo po bahala .. kayo po bahala.. kayo po bahala..
    IKAW NGA TINATANONG KO E BOPOLS ME ALAM KA BA. DUMB ASS KA SINO BA TRAINER MO hayup.

    IS THAT ALL SIR.. WOULD THAT BE ALL SIR?
    kung may itatanong pa ba ako .. masasagot mo e ang alam mo lang naman ay sorry at “ok naman po ang connection niyo sir e” supot ka, kajoklaan lang alam mong basics. press mo sa pc mo ctrl+alt+del pwe.

    saan nyo ba nilalagay ung mga binabayad namin?? di na ba ninyo nabigyan ng ibang manuals ung mga nasa tech supot ninyo.. maglagay nalang kayo ng trouble shooting readme sa internet kasi mas maiintindihan pa namin. kasi kung saan saan ninyo kasi kinukuha baka mga grade 4 palang natapos nyan mga empots na yan.. kagaganda nang boses wala naman alam bolok.

  • xxx himoura xxx

    to those who are complaining:

    di nyo nanam ginagalaw na wirings nyo db at wala naman nag gagalaw ng antennae ninyo.. paanong magiging sa inyo ang problem gets? koplogs lang talaga nag iinstall ewan kung saaan nila pinag kukuha ung mga contractors nila.. magandang companya sila then kahiya hiya ung service nila sa dsl.. mas maganda pa ung service nila nung nagsisimula palang ung cellular phone communication sservices nila. di tulad nitong nagsimula sila

    maliban nalang kung hinangin antennae ninyo noong bumagyo e kelangan ninyong mag re-homing (isan linggo ka maghihintay kasi di marunong ung driver at nagkakanda ligaw ligaw sa manila kahit bukana lang kayo ng highway super bopols)

    nasasabi ko to kasi nagkaroon ako ng experiecne na halos 1month(ok its 28 days huh hindi 1 month pero 2 days nalang) akong total fucked up ang connection.. may ip.. may connection pero di maka connect sa webpages sa online games.. sa messengers.. sa irchannels..
    tapos hanggang ngyun di pa aprub ung rebate ko.

    ok lang sana kung 1 day lang ang technical activities sa base station pero ((((4 days)))) ? na pag aayos.. anong ka walang hiyaan yan sa mga subscribers ninyo.. di ba kayo nahihiya sa mga nagbabayad ng tama tulad ng ibang mga nandito.. kami nga nahihiya sa inyo pag tumawag na kayo na magbayad na kami, edi punta naman kami agad sa bayaran and babayaran ang bills namin sa inyo(at isa pa.. pag di kami magbayad nakakalungkot na mawawalan na kami ng internet for some time kaya babayad agad.. wala na nga lagi , mawaalan pa uli bolok).. but hey .. bakit hindi patas(fair) ang treatment ninyo..kami isang tawag lang kami 999 na tawag bago maayos. mangunguwarta pa mga contractors niyo.. paano ba ireport ang mga yan.

  • xxx himoura xxx

    eto pa mga ka-naloko-han.

    from: http://javaaddict.blogspirit.com/archive/2006/03/01/potential-security-threat-for-smart-wifi-users.html


    Potential security threat for Smart WiFi users

    When I first read about this security issue in another blog, I was abit skeptical, but I also want to test it if this is actually true.

    A comment was posted on another blog, saying that Smart WiFi users are actually in a LAN (hence the LAN IP Addresses being assigned to users). And there have been reports that you can actually see (and possibly access) other Smart WiFi users in the area.

    A few hours ago, I asked my colleague to check if this is actually true, since he is also using Smart WiFi. He emailed me a screenshot of what he saw…

    A larger size of the above screenshot can be found here.

    For the purposes of testing and confirmation, I also asked him to try to access one of the computers using several methods (which I will not discuss). And as expected, he was able to gain access to one of the computers.

    This raises alot of security issues:

    A person who has enough knowledge of how a windows network works can actually scour thru the files of another person.
    People who forgot to disable their shared folders can easily be accessed by others.
    Introduction of viruses/trojans/keyloggers.
    For ordinary users without enough knowledge on networks and/or those without firewalls, this puts them in alot of danger from other malignant users (IMHO, the built in firewall of windows XP doesn’t even count as a firewall. hahahaha!).

    Smart WiFi better start reassessing their network architecture. This puts their subscribers at a VERY high risk of having their security compromised.

    02:40 Posted in Technology | Permalink | Comments (14) | Email this

    Comments
    INQ7 takes up the story and links to this blog – with commentary (or denial?) from Smart WiFi and from the Philippine Honeynet Project.

    http://news.inq7.net/infotech/index.php?index=1&story_id=68405

    Posted by: Migs | 03/06/2006

    * For almost all computers of Smart Wifi clients or any clients from other ISP, file sharing should be disabled.
    * For the few that need short-term file sharing, use passwords and anti-virus scanning.
    * Peer-to-peer file sharing programs (e.g., Kazaa, Gnutella, etc.) are considered a security risk.

    * File Sharing must be SOLELY RESPONSIBLE BY THE CLIENTS not their respective ISP.

  • belle

    I just had my smartbro connection for less than a week, (should be 2 weeks now, but the first week – we had no connection), but the headaches lingers.

    is this similar to you?

    1.right after paying from their Smart Wireless Center, you’ll be given a provisional receipt, when asking for an original receipt, the cashier will tell you that you would get it when the installer drops by … you believe them (of course…why not)

    2. when the installer came, when you ask for the O.R., they would claim that they just install the hardware (antenna, cables, etc.) and the software….this is the phase wherein you get the funny feeling that there is something wrong,,, but shrugs it off

    3. you call *1888 asking where and when you get the receipt, they don’t have a definite answer… you’d wonder why they call it customer care service, still you think maybe the person you talked to might be new at it… so you shrug it off again.

    4. the installer tells you, you’re computer is not ok, and they would need to reformat it… i’m not so much good at understanding computers i just use it in typing but i do know it means my files would be deleted.my computer has no way of copying files that huge to diskettes (by the way i cant burn them on CD, dont have the hardware), i was asked to moved them and they said they would come back some other time, probably tomorrow. So i bought like 5 boxes of diskettes to just transfer important stuff (again since i am not good at computers – this took me like forever to do)… this is the point wherein you realize,getting a SmartBro internet connection was not gonna be easy.

    4. day 2 of installation – after reformating my computer, that took like 4 hours, they tell me there is no connection coz the base (whatever that is) had a problem.
    … i tell myself…really? hmm? i didn’t notice…DUH!

    5. day 3 of the installation, it went well after few hours of typing ang whatever installers do to get a connection.
    i had a connection, was so excited. … maybe i was wrong after all, they did get me my connection.

    6. at 10am, my connection fails. called *1888, helped me thru troubleshooting and nothing, said something too technical for me to follow, but i was assured that they will sent the installers again.

    7. they came back, said that my antenna was too short, they asked me to buy a 10-foot pole, i complied, they were successful in getting a connection. late that night it rained so hard that i lost connection. the computer says :”cable unplugged”, i checked, reach the part where in theres a box that connects the black cable to the white line (don’t know what that is called) saw that it was wet, sure enough, water got into it and fried the circuits, called *1888, assured me that they would send the installer again… i then learned that the box should not be outside but inside. Why the installer didnt make sure it wasnt gonna be drench in case of rain, i would never know, maybe the cable became too short coz they lifted the cable 10 feet upward…..now this is the point when the headache starts to annoy me.

    8. i was told that the installer was going to drop by but i’ve been waiting for hours no one showed, at 6:30pm, i decided to go out and buy the groceries which i had to do that day, then my maid tells me when i got back at 8pm, that the installer came at 7:10pm….hmmmm….haven’t they heard that it was so late already, i did tell the customer care hotline that i wanted them to drop by early coz i don’t allow people to come in my place after 6pm (for security reasons)

    9. took them 2 days before i was rescheduled…great service!

    10. got my connection at last…wait..something is still wrong

    –> at 10 am, connection fails (always at 10am..why at 10am, i’ll never know)

    –> when a helicopter passes by, connection fails ( so if you live near an airport, or is directly in a flight route.. i would suggest not to get SmartBro, you’ll be trying to reconnect you computer UNLIMITEDly.

    –> strong gust of wind or if its raining, say bye bye to the connection (can you just imagine what will happen to your connection in case of a storm?)

    Basically, since the service i applied for is locked for 12 months, i will just have to live with all the headaches and try to laugh it off, download “how to cope with stress” like i did when i got my connection (it really helps during connection cut off). I may not like it, but its lock, but that doesnt mean i would let people i know and people i don’t know suffer like i did.

    i’ve started to talk to people already, started to give them an idea what SmartBro service is like, it might not be much, but at least i have been able to save 7 people from going thru the headaches i had, i just tell them what happened when i got the service. I’m also switching my sim to Globe, why you may ask.. i just thought with this kind of service Smart is offering on internet connection, they might start to deteriorate on its cellphone services too, i’m just making sure, i don’t get stressed on both service, rather have one headache than 2, i also plan to switch my friends and relatives sim cards, since my daughter’s birthday is coming up, i plan to give out sim cards and prepaid cards from globe as party giveaways. Some how, this makes me feel a lot better.

    for people who wants to be connected to the internet, Get a dialup, its basically the same company, but less the headache.

  • Kimberly Geum

    Well…
    I subscribed with smartwifi(now they changed into smartbro) was March 15,2006.And my location is in legaspi village of Makati.The connection was very very fast. I did anything with my connection and never experienced the disconnection, even in online games,etc.But the thing is… I recieved my bill as early(march 25, if am not mistaken) and i had to pay until april 5.It was ok for me because I am enjoying with my line. But after one month I started experienced the very very slow connection and always disconnecting until now.I called the CS of smartbro many times and told them the problem with my connection.We were did basic trouble shooting but it was no changed.Then they told me that they wrote a report letter then wait a call from their higher level technician within twenty four hours?

    I’ve just waited within 24hours but no one from smartbro called me. After 3days i received a call but i was in my class at that time. Later, I’ve checked my connection and it was ok.But after a few days I’ve experienced the slow connection and disconnection again. I reported it again to them.And was same processing,blablablablabla..

    I really really disappointed with this connection. But i have no choice just to finish the contract with smartbro until March 15,2007~! What the Hell~! GGrrrr….

  • Smart BROken

    Read and subscribe to this blog to know more about what you can do with your Smart BROken and share your experiences with us:

    http://www.smartwifi.org.ph

  • [email protected]

    gusto ko pa naman magpalagay ng smart bro…. ganyan pala.. wag na lang.. nakakadisappoint! thanks sa mga nagpost ng mga comments nila

  • smart ba?

    SMART ba?hehehehe nagsubscribe ako nung june 1…then grabeh kakalagay pa lang wala na agad ako connection it last for almost 1 month then cyempre twag ako sa CS then do some troubleshooting tapos finally wala pa ding ngyari…tapos after how many weeks yun na may dumating na mga technical people then lam mo ang sinabi…hindi pla advisable lagyan ng wifi sa lugar namin dahil madaming puno and malayo na msyado from the base station…see?bakit pa kaya nilagyan kung hindi pwede???oh common…tapos lately lang 2 weeks ako walang connection as in limited connectivity tapos pag tatawag sa CS pareparehas lang ng sinasabi sabi ko nga kanina ko pa yan ginagawa tapos yan ulit wala na bang bago kaung ipapagawa???dapat my level ung mga CS nyo eh kasi parepareho lagi ang sinasabi nilang lahat…

  • Prescilla

    SMARTBRO really sucks!! I agree! I have over two weeks unstable connection and yahoo IM on and off connection. Pag tumatawag ako sa CS nila lagi na lang “imonitor nyo po and connection within 24 hours pag wala pa rin itawag nyo po ulit sa amin” wow lagi nalang ganon. At eto pang isang nakakagalit may isang CS na ipinaggigitgitang sa software ko daw kaya on and off and aking yahoo messenger connection..come to think of it I dont see any reason how it will affect my connection when it’s on and off. WOW smartbro ang galing ng sistema nyo bulok#@**&

  • vergel

    mabuti na lang nag research muna ako tungkol sa smart boboband ay Smart BROken pala.

  • http://none smart”BROKEN”

    hayy wala padin pnagbago tong smart”BROKEN” ang bagal ng connection grabe lagi pang disconnect! sayng lng PERA ko sa ganitong klaseng internet lilipat na lng ako sa “DSL”!!!!

    ang BAHO KASI NG CONNECTION NATO BAGAY TALGA ANG PANGALAN NA TO SA INYO E “SMARTBROKEN”

  • http://none LOKOLOKO

    SMARTBRO Bilis Kabit Promo!!!
    SmartBro Wireless Broadband Internet – P999 per month

    Speed of up to 384 kbps – 7x faster than dial-up

    so you can do more with your internet connection.

    Get faster downloads, view streaming audio and video content, see and hear…

    WOW GRABE TALGA MAG ADVERTISE TONG SMARTBRO NA TO!!!
    paki basa nga ulit to “Get faster downloads, view streaming audio and video content” ANG KAPAL NG MUKA OHH MANLOLOKO TALGA BOLOKS!!!

  • ishy

    I soo hate smart!! they should put descriptions in their packages… coz i tried registering to their wifi package and i don’t know how to use it!!! please help me…