Visibility on the run

"Connections made with Globe just got faster," said Blums Pineda, wireless business planning head of Globe Telecom, a few months back. "This is made possible with the HSDPA or ‘Super 3G’ technology." Last year, Globe launched Visibility. This allowed business subscribers to get connected to the Internet at speeds of 1.2 to 1.4Mbps (or megabytes per second). Now, with ‘Super 3G’ also available to consumers, connections are made at speeds of up to 1.8Mbps.

At the time, the current HSDPA (a data card that is slightly bigger than a credit card that plugs into the PCMCIA slot of the PC, allowing the user to connect to Globe’s cellular network) product or "Super 3G" demonstrated speeds of up to 2 Mbps. And Blums said the Globe network was ready for faster speeds – all that was needed at the time were the devices.

Finally, we got to try out one such device. The Samsung Z560, the first HSDPA phone on the market. There is Dopod 838 pro, the other cellphone which is HSDPA-capable.

It is the young people, those who like to spend their time surfing the Net, logging onto YouTube or downloading videos that Globe is targeting for the "Super 3G."

"Practically anywhere you get a 3G signal it is immediately an Internet hotspot. Imagine what it would be like if you could dial into your own personal broadband connection to any website," said Blums. It would be really great if you could open your Web-based files no matter where you are, hotspot or not.

Fantastic.

Over the Christmas break, the tsunami that affected Taiwan and Internet connections hereabout notwithstanding, we got to test just how fast and well the Globe-connected HSDPA Samsung phone worked. And, might I add, we were not disappointed.

We used the Globe-provided HSDPA card, which allows the user to make phone calls as well as get faster connections to the Internet. That is, of course, if the phone is an HSDPA-capable unit.

At present, a 3G-enabled mobile phone lets you browse the Web, download music and make video calls, among other things. The problem, as every 3G phone owner knows, is that it’s not as fast as we would sometimes like it to be.

With the Samsung phone and Globe Visibility we were able to download data at the speed of around 1.8Mbps, via HSDPA. As an experiment of sorts, I logged on to the Globe Visibility with the Samsung Z560 at the same time as my broadband connection at home. Surprise I was, the connections were made at approximately the same speed. It was fun to surf the Net rather than doggy-paddle across it.

Although I must admit that it took me sometime to fumble around with the Z560 and to get familiar with the little quirks that come with the phone, as soon as that was out of the way, I was amazed at the speed of connections made. But, I did make a few pressing errors on the phone along the way. If only all cellphone keypads could work the same way.

The next generation of 3G is already here and Globe makes this possible. Super 3G is what it should be called.

Our first impression is that the Samsung SGH-Z560 is a great device for any mobile Internet fan. The screen isn’t as large as I would have wanted it to be. But, then again it just takes a little adjusting to. Also, if I wanted to check on my e-mail, it is great to know I could do it really quickly in a slim device which fits into my pocket.

The SGH-Z560 comes with a good selection of multimedia features, including stereo Bluetooth support, integrated 3D stereo dual speakers, onboard digital power amp and external touch-sensor music keys. It is also equipped with a two-megapixel camera with autofocus, QVGA display and microSD card expansion slot. The stylish clamshell packs a lot of features, in addition to being capable of 1.8Mbps max download speed.

Of course, the Z560 is not just a cool looker, it also has great features like it can pair a two-megapixel auto-focus camera with a 2.3-inch QVGA internal screen, and performs equally well with audio, including dual speakers and a MP3/AAC/AAC+/Real/WMA compatible music player and control keys on the front of the flip. To store all this multimedia goodness, the SGH-Z560 includes 30MB of onboard memory and a microSD expansion slot. All this in a compact package of just 16 mm thickness.

Globe sees this opportunity as a positive development and is upbeat about the way customers will respond to "Super 3G." Regardless of the risks that may be involved in such an endeavor, Globe is willing to chance it all in order to bring only the best and fastest connection to its clients.

Since Globe introduced integrated 3G with HSDPA, Filipinos who subscribe to Globe did not have to wait for their 3G networks to be upgraded to HSDPA. The sensitivity to ensure their subscribers’ value for money brought down potential costs for future upgrades of the wireless technology.

Responding to the Filipinos’ needs for convenience and access to the Internet, Globe gave their subscribers more choices for mobile productivity so that they could fulfill their information and data needs on demand at the speeds they need whenever they want and wherever they want.

"This responsibility extends to our 3G businesses, which is why we have to stay ahead of the curve and offer relevant and meaningful innovations to our customers," Blums said.

Globe Visibility is an unlimited mobile Internet plan that allows access to the Internet from anywhere. Blums said that people who like to be connected with HSDPA prefer to have a different device for making their connections.

Although Globe does not see people switching to surfing using a phone, the availability of new HSDPA phones does make using phones for surfing more interesting.

Globe’s HSDPA has larger bandwidths and higher transmission rates. This will surely allow subscribers to experience clearer connections while streaming and faster Internet connection when on the move.

Blums said that unlike the Visibility, the "Super 3G" will be perfect for young people, students or anyone else who prefer to be connected in an instant, anywhere. No more need to look for that hotspot with "Super 3G" connection, say, in a cab while riding down EDSA.

Age is not a factor though when Globe looks at whom they are targeting for the "Super 3G." "It’s basically anyone who loves to hang out in a coffee shop and surf," said Blums. "The people we are looking to for this service are those who will log on to the Internet and start on the Internet Explorer."

"People love the freedom that comes with HSDPA," he said. "No wires, no boundaries, no hassles."

In Metro Manila, the 3G coverage is good and Blums believes that being able to just turn on the computer anywhere, log on to the new HSDPA phones anywhere there is a Globe and then log on minus the wires is a dream come true.

After all, the sites are now richer and having great connections is a must. The people who browse the Web are looking for connections that are not pixelated or "choppy." More so, the young people who go for the sites that have loads of visuals rather than the text heavy sites.

The Globe Visibility Plan P2,000 comes with HSDPA, 3G, EDGE and GPRS and also unlimited Wi-Fi and dial-up. The SIM and mobile browsing data card also comes free.

Since Globe introduced an integrated 3G with HSDPA, Globe subscribers will not have to wait for 3G networks to be upgraded to HSDPA. Globe is also optimistic that, with a network ratcheting up to the next generation in HSDPA technology, their subscribers will be more than ready to get the rewards and productivity gains of wire-free connectivity.

"The HSDPA connections are the type of mobility sought by people like us, not the corporate guys," said Blums. "Free from the confines of a hotspot. The anywhere, anytime broadband access option. And we are preparing for even more and faster connections."