Globe Visibility Review
November 22, 2006I have been using Globe’s Visibility service for quite some time now on a variety of mobile devices, the latest of which is the Huawei E220 USB HSDPA Modem.
Visibility is basically a bundle of various wireless internet connectivity options from GPRS, EDGE, 3G, HSDPA, WIFI, Dial Up, and even WIFI Roaming all (except the roaming bits) at a flat fee of Php2,000 a month for unlimited use.
As such, its probably nothing really innovative or earth shattering, but i guess just a matter of time. So does the service work? Definitely!
GPRS will always be GPRS. EDGE is quite a bit faster, but its not really clear to anyone at this point where its really available. But HSDPA is really what makes the service great. I still have a hard time believing that surfing on a 400 to 700K connection, with bursts of over 1 Meg, is possible on a wireless connection, even faster then wired DSL!
At speeds like this, a flat fee is a must! I figured that in my initial tests, I spent about Php15K to Php20K in a span of about 2 hours watching 3 YouTube videos simultaneously!
Of course, WIFI in included in the mix, which is pretty cool as well because there is no need to search for these prepaid vouchers anywhere. Just login and surf.
The other thing I find really cool though aside from HSDPA is the inclusion of WIFI roaming. With Visibility, I can connect to over 45,000 hotspots worldwide with my Visibility user id and password. Too bad that WIFI roaming today is just so ridiculously expensive. But it does serve its purpose when a job needs to be done.
So all in all, Visibility is a pretty good service. Pricing is pretty decent for what you get. The service would be much better if the HSDPA coverage were improved, but I think that will get better with time. I am using the modem in Singapore on 3G roaming with Singtel, and the speed is decent (roaming charges will probably kill me in the end though).
Usability is not bad. The modem drivers still have a problem with Intel based Macs, but I found a workaround that works, so I am a happy camper.
Definitely a service to check out.
I have this subscription for 2 days now and all I can say is that this is not worth the cost. I am wondering if I can cancel my contract. I am leaving near Mega Mall and got EDGE most of the time. Connection speed is shown as ~280kbps but actual speed is close to dial up. Good thing is the E220 can give you the actual speeds. Most of the time it is way below 56kbps (wired dial-up connection). I am not sure if they have problem now (Globe) but if not… please guys do yourself a favor don’t subscribe to this service. Try to get wired/dsl/cable subscription.
I have been commenting everywhere just to spread the word….
I have been using Globe Visibility for a few months now here in Binangonan Rizal and for the first month was not very impressed with the service. I was experiencing constant dropouts and slow connection speeds. Fortunately though it appears that Globe has cleaned up their act and improved the service. I run a small business with 7 networked computers and use Visibility as our main internet connection. I use it on a server as a dedicated internet gateway then route it through a D-Link router and switch hub. I run the server and internet connection 24/7 and I’m happy to say that the problems are very minimal. If I do experience problems though, a quick reboot often fixes it. I regularly test the bandwidth speed and usually get between 780kbps to 1000plus kbps. So as a whole I must say that I’m quite happy with the service.
I’ve been reading around and have seriously considered getting Visibility… tama ba pagkaintindi ko that the USB modem (Huawei E220) offers better speeds than the PCMCIA card version? Bakit kaya? I have a Dell XPS 1210 and i’m curious as to whether there’s a serious difference to the two.
I live in Palawan the forgotten region of Philippines.
The Visibility has one huge advantage over Smart WIFI, it stays connected plus you have ways to re instal it or move it to another computer easily whereas Smart requires a geek skill.
HOWEVER there is one problem here with Globe, they sold it before they had any coverage above GPRS (dial up speed)
I have tried to discove when the local cell sites will be upgraded to 3G annd then HSDPA and no answers from Globe.
I bought it on promises of video and voip and other wonderful services, I am cancelling it shortly and buying Smart which delivers 364 average despite the disconnect problem.
I subscribed to Globe’s visibility service several days ago and I will only recommend it for those who likes torturing themselves with the following:
- getting timed out regularly while browsing (Globe’s own sites included)
- extremely fluctuating bandwidth speed
- paying Php 2000 one time fee and Php 2000 monthly thereafter for a service that is so poor it makes the performance of ordinary dial up connection via landline look so good
Beware! Lest you become one of those duped into signing up for such an inferior service that leaves a lot to be desired.
Hi guys!!! kala ko nga dati huawei ko may problem. i called customer service nung May 8 2007, sabi nila laptop ko daw may problema. E, how come maski san ko ilagay, ganun pa rin? nun pumunta ako Globe business center nung May 14 kasi naiinis na talaga ako, they admitted having a 3g problem.
This is so not worth it. 2000 pesos for a gprs speed connection! i have written a blog na rin about this. dati ok talaga service as i have written sa blog ko,pero now, araw araw ako magbblog sa different blogs ko until maayos yan.
i want to let people know naman what they will get from their 2000 bucks.
http://vince1.blog.com
I have no Visibility subscription. But with Mr. Manalang’s comment on it being a torture, I think should get one to keep me excited on one of those loney nights.
Globe Visibility is almost invisible. I have to agree with most of you guys since the HUAWEI card’s behavior is to switch to a more stable/stronger connection regardless of the speed. oftentimes, it will drop to edge/gprs. This can be augmented though. If you know you have 3G on your area, one workaround will be to tweak your settings on the card using the card management stuff. Go to settings\connections and change the connection type to 3G only. works for me since the card hooks itself to 3G and doesnt shuffle to edge mode. Thus less dropout in my connection.
just m 2Cents…
btw, most of the time, at home… my rated speed goes just over 500kbps. i’m not sure if you experience it too, but i think upload link is limited to 56kbps tops.
very interesting, but I don’t agree with you
Idetrorce
I have a client that subscribed to both Globe Visibility and PLDT We Roam just because neither are as good as they advertise. When will these corporate giants get penalized for this? The least they can do is reduce the lockout period from 24 months to 6 months, even if the sign-up fee is non-refundable. The 2-year lockout fee is obviously there to ensure they’ve earned more than enough from you by the time you cancel your subscription all pissed and frustrated for being duped and short-changed. Sigh. Unbelievably self-serving.
i came to this site to get some overview of globe’s HUAWEI. i’ve tried using it more than a couple of times from my aunt’s. i can’t really tell if it’s okay or not most of the time. when the connection’s slow, i thought it was coz of the location since they’re living an hour away from Davao’s main city and globe’s signal is kinda poor in the house/fluctuating.
i’ve been thinking of getting it coz im plannin to buy a laptop next month and i sure have no idea how smart’s performance is. can u guys help me decide? or do you know any other devices i can use that works better between the two? or is it just the only ones available in this country? THANK YOU