Connections at the speed of Globe

Connections made with Globe just got faster," said Blums Pineda, vice president, business planning and office chief operating advisor, Globe Telecom. "This is made possible with the HSDPA or ‘Super 3G’ technology."

Last year, Globe launched its Visibility. This allowed business subscribers to get connected to the Internet at speeds of 80 Mbps (or megabytes per second). Now, with Super 3G, connections are made at speeds of 1.2 to 1.4 Mbps.

Matter of fact, the current HSDPA (a data card that is slightly bigger than a credit card. It plugs into the PCMCIA slot of the PC and gives one the ability to connect to Globe’s cellular network) product or Super 3G has demonstrated speeds of up to 2 Mbps. And Blums said the Globe network is ready for faster speeds – all that is needed are the devices.

It is the young people – those who like to spend their time surfing the Net, logging on to 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, hot spot or not.

Fantastic.

In 2005, Visibility targeted businessmen who wanted to have access to the Internet, their e-mail or even their office anytime, all the time. But, as Blums said, the system at the time was running on 2G. "But networks across the world have been upgrading and they are now 3G-capable, and so it goes with Globe," added Blums.

Globe sees this opportunity as a positive development and is upbeat about the way customers will respond to the 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.

Foundations for this were laid early by Globe as it publicly desmontrated the HSDPA/Super 3G technology at the SEA Games last year.

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.

Responsding to 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," he added.

Okay. So how does all of this work? Globe Visibility is an unlimited mobile Internet plan that allows access to the Internet from anywhere. What you will need is a laptop or a computer notebook with a PCMCIA slot.

"Anything that runs XP," explained Blums.

He added that laptops from 2003 and onward are best. The Globe HSDPA card comes with a SIM card which is specifically marketed for the purpose. Stick the card into the slot and start surfing.

Although the SIM might be physically similar to the regular SIM, this one is a data SIM card and cannot be used for making calls. Blums said that people who like to be connected with HSDPA prefer to have a different device for making their connections.

He does not see people switching to surfing using a phone, at least not the market they are targeting. Young people like to have a cell phone for texting and the like, and then a laptop or computer notebooks for surfing, checking an e-mail, streaming, downloading videos and more. Blum believes that seeing the whole picture on a computer screen is so much more fun than looking at the same thing on a phone.

"The corporate guys will probably log on and check their e-mail or what’s happening at the office," noted Blums. "Younger people might want to log on to YouTube, or check on the latest at their favorite website."

This is because 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 prefers 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 who 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 at for this service are those who will log onto the Internet and start on the Internet Explorer."

Yet, Blums is quick to point out that about 20 percent of the people out there use PCs – not an especially large market. And those who are buying computers now are opting for laptops and notebooks rather than desktops. Also, Blums added that the prices for computers are coming down, bringing them more within the reach of more students and young professionals.

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

What about the laptops or notebooks without the PCMCIA slot?

Well, there is a USB connection device in the pipeline and it will be able to do the same. This would also be great for people with desktops at home and the HSDPA card for their Notebooks.

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

After all, the sites are now richer and having great connections are 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 which 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 WiFi 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 access option, broadband access. And we are preparing for even more and faster connections."