Around the Web: Faster internet

PCWorld explains why your internet is faster today. "If you notice faster delivery of Web content today, consider yourself more than just lucky. In fact, you may well be a beneficiary of the Global Internet Speedup, a new, Google-backed effort to speed up the Web around the world."

Thanks Google & Co. :)

It got me thinking how fast Internet has gotten today, especially mobile internet. In 2006, I got a Globe Visibility internet connection from Globe Telecom, which has a maximum theoretical speed of 1.8 Mbps, and would hit 1.4 Mbps.

Globe Visibility Speed test from February 2007, from a Huawei modem on a laptop

Today, I can get those speeds from my mobile phone.

Smart 3G Speed test from August 2011, from a HTC Desire HD

The fastest mobile internet products available today is many time faster than that. SMART Communications has its prepaid only SMART Rocket which promises as mush as 12 Mbps. The SMART Rocket kit, which include a modem and a sim will cost you Php3,995. Use will cost you Php10 per thirty minutes. According to Yugatech, default charging will revert to Php200 per 180MB after September 30, 2011. You can also subscribe to Smart Always On Plans on the Rocket. It is still not clear if you can subscribe to Smart Communications Unlimited plans. Given the plans this would be more suitable for a dedicated mobile connection.

SMART Rocket - 4G HSPA+

Coverage is still limited, and since it is wireless technology, actually speeds may be reduced by obstructions between your device and the 4G tower. A list of the covered areas at this time can be found here.

Globe Tatoo Tonino Lamborghini - 10 Mbps 4G HSPA+

Globe Telecommunications offers its Globe's 10 Mbps Tattoo Tonino Lamborghini. Globe high speed package is a postpaid only plan. You get the sim and modem free for a monthly of Php2,199 under a two year contract. Since the plan is unlimited, I suspect many users may use this as their mobile and home connection. I am not sure if that is a good thing. Five years ago, some Globe Visibility were being used to power internet cafes causing network slowdown. But Globe Telecom has been down this road before so I think they know what they are doing. Mobile Internet from Globe Telecom across all plans tends to cost a bit less than mobile internet from SMART Communications.

How long can you resist before getting a 10 Mbps or faster mobile connection? Pick your own poison, but either way, the faster net is here. 

Posted in: Odds and ends,Service providers and connectivity