Comments on: How to connect to the internet when you’re traveling in the Philippines

By: The Longest Way Home

The Longest Way Home — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 06:57:55 +0000

As best I know, Globe only offer 50 peso unlimited per day. The Philippines is a huge country broken into smaller islands, it’s impossible to say Globe is better than Smart. It is in some areas some of the time, it isn’t in others the rest of the time. Real 3G is a rarity on any of the networks, though they’ll advertise differently.

By latest blog post will tell you where I am now.

By: john

john — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 05:50:50 +0000

Hi, one of my friends told me to check out Globe SIM cards.
Do you know much about them?
Is the signal better than SMART, say in the country side?
Do They have options like the “on” plans on SMART which are good for the 3G internet, if so what are they?

PS: I’m so grateful for your answers, are you still in the Philippines now?

By: The Longest Way Home

The Longest Way Home — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 01:44:20 +0000

Yes, there are a few cards. And very very subtle differences. Basically all the SMART sim cards are the same. The names are usually just related to promotions they are running.

Walking up to any vendor and simply asking for a Smart sim card, and they’ll give you one, and help you set it up if you need help. But, generally it’s as simply as putting it into your phone.

Most vendors won’t know about internet settings etc. But the sim cards some with them ready installed. There are also Smart centers in most towns too, and aside from slow queues, can sort everything out for you quickly.

By: The Longest Way Home

The Longest Way Home — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 01:41:22 +0000

Hi John,

No, you’re right. Texting “On 300″ to 2200 will give you 250mb that should be consumed over 30 days.

So yes, you should preload you phone with a 300 peso card. But, I’d probably top it up with a bit more, just in case you need it.

Coverage in the countryside is random, but not all that bad. If there’s a town, there will be coverage throughout The Philippines. Sometimes the signal drops off between towns when you are on a bus. But generally speaking it’s not that bad.

By: john

john — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 17:02:01 +0000

sorry… one more stupid question. Which SMART sim card do I buy? I heard that there are different variations, like SMART buddy and SMART Bro etc.

oh… and is it possible to request a certain phone number?

By: john

john — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 16:59:44 +0000

hi, i’m a little confused with your posting on “Latest SMART Mobile broadband rates in The Philippines”.

If I get a SMART sim card, then text “on 300″ to 2200, does that mean that I have a quota of 250MB that I can use for the next 30 days? I guess that means I have to preload my phone with 300peso’s right?

Sorry about this stupid questions but I’m very new to this and not very technical minded… how is the coverage in the countryside? I will be travelling to butuan and around the countryside in mindanao.

Thanks for your help!!!

By: The Longest Way Home

The Longest Way Home — Sat, 07 May 2011 11:04:48 +0000

Hi inca. No, I no longer have that phone. I sold it before leaving The Philippines. It's what they call a "china phone" there are so many different versions in the market you will have no problem in finding one. Here's a link to what mine looked like check out the phone on the right hand sideYou could also check out the USB sticks GLOBE or SMART offer if you have a laptop, its no different to the phone, but might work out cheaper depending on where you go shopping!

By: inca

inca — Fri, 06 May 2011 18:37:36 +0000

It’s good that I can go back in your blog to find your older information handy. I just arrived to Philippines through Singapore and Sabah. I would have liked to meet up, but you left to Kuala Lumpur when I reached Singapore.

thanks for the above tips.
do you still have that fake iPhone? does it have a “model” of its own with which i can find it so I can buy it to use it the way you describe? My current phone doesn’t have the ability. I’ll be here for several weeks and it’ll be useful.
Thanks.

By: The Longest Way Home

The Longest Way Home — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:44:09 +0000

-flipnomad- Thanks for the nice words you said about the site. Glad you’ve found some inspiration here. Hope to hear from you again!

-jessiev- A fake i-phone at that!

-Nora- It’s sometimes a battle here too Mainly if there’s a power outage. But usually it’s pretty good.

By: Nora Dunn

Nora Dunn — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:38:42 +0000

Awesome tips! I’m always interested in how people connect while traveling; it’s a constant battle for me. Thank you!

By: jessiev

jessiev — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 23:04:44 +0000

how very interesting! i love that you can connect with your iphone. technology is amazing.

By: flipnomad

flipnomad — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 11:30:41 +0000

great article! you won’t have any trouble connecting if you’re in the city, there are tons of wireless areas. good to know that you’re enjoying your stay in the Philippines. I’ve been reading your blogs for a couple of weeks now and it’s very inspiring. Keep on traveling!!! I hope you find your home soon!