Smart: Facilities upgrade causing internet service woes
Smart Communications on Tuesday attributed the internet service interruptions in some parts of Metro Manila to its ongoing facilities upgrade, GMANews.TV learned.
In an interview over GMA7's DZBB, Smart spokesperson Ramon Isberto said upgrading its cellphone and internet networks at the same time brought about disruptions in regular services.
"We are rolling out new equipment and expanding our networks for internet service. As for the cellphone service, we are rolling out 3G facilities, which are located on the same base stations as the cell phone facilities. Minsan nagkakaroon ng problema," he said.
Smart's broadband internet service, recently repackaged as Smart Bro, utilizes the same frequency employed by the company's existing cellphone network.
According to the Smart Bro website, the service "is a high-speed broadband internet connection that uses the nationwide cellular network of Smart to wirelessly deliver internet service" to a subscriber's personal computer.
Since April, Smart had been at the receiving end of complaints from customers, particularly of its wireless internet service repackaged recently as Smart Bro. (please read related story)
Isberto said they would "appreciate feedback from customers" so Smart will be able to determine where service is spotty. Subscribers can call Smart's hotline at *888, he said.
Users of the wireless Internet service complained of intermittent signals and total service loss at certain times of the day and difficulties in unsubscribing.
A group of dissatisfied subscribers even made their complaints available on the internet by posting the Smart WiFi Chronicles, a series of grievances against Smart's internet service.
Smart Bro, formerly called Smart WiFi, is a fixed wireless broadband Internet service launched late last April. It is heavily advertised on print and broadcast media.
Last May 24, consumer group TXTPower asked the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to look into the subscriber complaints. It also asked the NTC to order Smart Communications to stop accepting new subscriptions to Smart WiFi/ SmartBro while the probe is ongoing.-GMANews.TV
In an interview over GMA7's DZBB, Smart spokesperson Ramon Isberto said upgrading its cellphone and internet networks at the same time brought about disruptions in regular services.
"We are rolling out new equipment and expanding our networks for internet service. As for the cellphone service, we are rolling out 3G facilities, which are located on the same base stations as the cell phone facilities. Minsan nagkakaroon ng problema," he said.
Smart's broadband internet service, recently repackaged as Smart Bro, utilizes the same frequency employed by the company's existing cellphone network.
According to the Smart Bro website, the service "is a high-speed broadband internet connection that uses the nationwide cellular network of Smart to wirelessly deliver internet service" to a subscriber's personal computer.
Since April, Smart had been at the receiving end of complaints from customers, particularly of its wireless internet service repackaged recently as Smart Bro. (please read related story)
Isberto said they would "appreciate feedback from customers" so Smart will be able to determine where service is spotty. Subscribers can call Smart's hotline at *888, he said.
Users of the wireless Internet service complained of intermittent signals and total service loss at certain times of the day and difficulties in unsubscribing.
A group of dissatisfied subscribers even made their complaints available on the internet by posting the Smart WiFi Chronicles, a series of grievances against Smart's internet service.
Smart Bro, formerly called Smart WiFi, is a fixed wireless broadband Internet service launched late last April. It is heavily advertised on print and broadcast media.
Last May 24, consumer group TXTPower asked the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to look into the subscriber complaints. It also asked the NTC to order Smart Communications to stop accepting new subscriptions to Smart WiFi/ SmartBro while the probe is ongoing.-GMANews.TV
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