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Author Topic: Airnet Wireless Broadband review  (Read 1919 times)
rking
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Posts: 6
« on: May 17, 2006, 01:48:01 PM »
hi guys, just wanted to share my experience with airnet wireless broadband service.  Was lucky enough to get offered a demo unit by airnet this afternoon and i'm typing away right now thru their internet connection.

Earlier this afternoon, one of their sales agents came to our office in San Juan and dropped of the wireless internet package.  Included with the kit was the Novaltel PCMCIA Card. Installation CD-Rom , Manuals, and the username and pin codes for the account. realistically speaking, i;ve had the service for almost 8 hours now.

Anyway, as soon as i got the card setup and software installed. I got a signal at our office which is right next to Diamond Motors in San Juan. i got 3-4 bars out of 5.  First thing i did was to measure the bandwidth using www.pldtplay.com bandwidth tester as a reference (well yes i know it isn't accurate but i'm more accustomed to it already to measure bandwidth). Just right out of setup, i got a connection of 294kbps which was pretty impressive (more like 150kbs realistically speaking) and that was on the second floor where our celphone signals by globe and smart are really weak.  Going outside and measuring bandwidth again, it spiked up to almost 400kbps. Pretty good if you ask me as our PLDT DSL service only gets around 550kbps with PLDTs bandwidth tester.  I also went to greenhills, particularly in Shoppesville to have dinner at LeChing 2 unfortunately no service down there.  Moved to Promenade and got 4 out of 5 bars on the signal meter and was getting somewhere around 300kbps.  Right now m at home in Quezon City (Libis area) and i am getting 5 out 5 bars.  current bandwidth is at 355.1kbps.

I was also at the Commonwealth area earlier this evening unfortunately no signal there. UP area no signal too. Detected a signal as i approached Katipunan which was 4 out 5 bars but wasnt able to test bandwidth.

tomorrow, i'll be going around more to test functionality of the demo unit i have. feel free to ask any questions as i will have this unit only til tuesday.
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ast
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Posts: 113
« Reply #1 on: May 17, 2006, 06:19:20 PM »
not bad ah Smiley  may website ba sila?
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dlreyes
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Posts: 26
« Reply #2 on: May 17, 2006, 06:45:46 PM »
A similar review that I made which was posted in other forums...

My review of the EVDO service of Broadband Philippines

Ease of Use
Contrary to what was written on the box, the Merlin V620 is NOT compatible with Windows 98SE as verified by the Verizon and the manufacturers of Merlin. After initial installation under Windows XP though, setting up the Merlin V620 is relatively easy. As with any other Plug and Play device, recognition of the card did not cause any trouble at all.

Speed
Average speed achieved is around 148 Kbps to around 220Kbps. Bursts of around 670 Kbps were however achieved in some areas at certain times of the day.

:::.. Download Stats ..:::
Connection is:: 173 Kbps about 0.2 Mbps (tested with 579 kB)
Download Speed is:: 21 kB/s
Tested From:: http://testmy.net (http://testmy.net) (server1)
Test Time:: Sun Jan 29 08:35:12 UTC+0800 2006
Bottom Line:: 3X faster than 56K 1MB download in 48.76 sec
Diagnosis: May need help : running at only 61.79 % of your hosts average (12.144)
Validation Link:: http://testmy.net/stats/id-LTS37F04R (http://testmy.net/stats/id-LTS37F04R)

2Wire
Speed Meter
Your bandwidth was clocked at
42.50 Kbps

PLDT Play - Bandwidth Test Results
Bandwidth Test Results : 191.80 kbps

SPEAKEASY
Last Result:
Download Speed: 457 kbps (57.1 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 10 kbps (1.3 KB/sec transfer rate)


Coverage
Though most of Metro Manila has already been covered (as I was informed), not all areas could accommodate EVDO signals. There are times when signal would fall into the much slower 1xRTT or could not access at all.

Dependability
Because of the erratic signals and limited area coverage, dependability is compromised. The nature of mobility is to be able to access information where and when one needs it.

Competition

For Mobile Connection:
PLDT WeRoam mobile (Smart EDGE/gprs Php 2,000 + VAT)
GlobeQuest Visibility (Globe EDGE/gprs Php 1,700/month)
Wifi Hotspots
UMTS to be provided by mobile phone companies (soon)

For Fixed Connection:
Meridian Telecom / PLDT DSLW / Smart Wifi
Wifi Ng Bayan
Other ISP with unlimited Dial-Up Connection

Target Market

Primary
Person who needs mobile access to information but has identified areas of his coverage and is sure that EVDO or at the very least 1xRTT is available.

Secondary
Desktop users wanting to have alternative to DSL connection (must have special PCMCIA adapters which work with Merlin V620 as not all work with it)

Advantages
1. Very reasonable subscription cost
2. Relatively higher speed than competitors


Disadvantages
1. High initial cost
2. Limited coverage
3. Limited to PCMCIA capable devices only

Conclusion:
The success of EVDO in the Philippines would depend on the swiftness of the deployment and the reliability of the services around the areas of concern. Since most of the subscriber base and those who can afford are within the confines of Metro Manila, it is suggested that concentration should be done in increasing awareness and marketing efforts towards this market. This however should be done in conjunction to offering reliable services throughout the metropolis.

I would also want to suggest that devices other than the expensive Merlin V620 PCMCIA card be made available to the market. These devices include but not limited to USB Connectors, PDAs, mobile phones which are EVDO capable, routers, etc.
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rking
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Posts: 6
« Reply #3 on: May 17, 2006, 11:51:49 PM »
dlreyes: when was you review of this service made? are you still using it? for some reason i am not able to access any websites right now through airnet.
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rking
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Posts: 6
« Reply #4 on: May 18, 2006, 12:39:36 AM »
Your connection is: 682 Kbps or 0.68 Mbps
You Downloaded at: 83 kB/s
You are running: 12 times faster than 56K and can Download 1 megabyte in 12.34 second(s)
Member Ident: CompID:187004317895
Test Time:: 2006/05/18 - 12:35am
Test Browser and OS info: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.8.0.3) Gecko/20060426 Firefox/1.5.0.3
Test ID: H2MGCJSWE (if this is a screenshot go to testmy.net to see if this is fake)
Diagnosis ^info^: May need help : running at only 24.11 % of your hosts average (10.214)
This was tested from a 386 kB file and took 4.641 seconds to complete

this is what i got using www.testmy.net getting 3 out of 5 bars on the signal meter from libis area
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ast
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Posts: 113
« Reply #5 on: May 18, 2006, 05:38:25 AM »
what is their rate?
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rking
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Posts: 6
« Reply #6 on: May 18, 2006, 09:29:19 AM »
its 5500 downpayment for the pcmcia card one time payment. 1900 per month service fee. please correct me if i'm wrong
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pinoyhiker
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Posts: 10
« Reply #7 on: June 01, 2006, 10:01:33 AM »
Quote
its 5500 downpayment for the pcmcia card one time payment. 1900 per month service fee. please correct me if i'm wrong
[snapback]2203[/snapback]

There are actually 2 options offered by AIRNET for the service. But either way, you really have to buy their device (16k damage).

OPTION 1: (Outright purchase of the device)
price - 16K
monthly subscription fee - 1.5k
but no lock-in period

OPTION 2: (downpayment  - Deferred balance)
Downpayment - 5.5k
monthly amortization(device) - 450
monthly subscription fee - 1.5k
has a lock-in period of 2 years..
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