For a couple of days now, I’ve noticed that we lose both our internet connections around 1am. The reason I prefer to work at night is because our customers are from mainland US. Also, it’s easier to download photos from supplier servers and upload them into our sites.

We have two SmartBro internet connections, I use the Plug It (canopy) and my brother uses the Share It account. Uploading takes a lot of the bandwidth and we really don’t want to lose any work because of network timeout. So it’s really a hassle to suddenly lose both connections right when I’m in the middle of speaking with a supplier or handling a customer concern. My brother has had to re-upload a lot of work due to this intermittent connection.

PLDT, Digitel, Smart and Globe are the primary providers in Manila. I don’t have PLDT and Digitel because frankly my money is better spent on the speeds that Smart and Globe provide. Between the two broadband giants, there’s really nothing that “wonderful” about their services. You just get the same shit from both companies who don’t really give a fook about their customers. It’s all about the money they rake in and the customer who falls for whichever false advertisement. Speeds up to 2mbps my ass!

The reason I’m really bothered by this is that a lot of people in my network work from home. We all need stable internet connection. Truth is, you don’t get paid if you don’t finish the job on time; and you can’t give foreigners the same lame ass excuses that Filipino employers will accept. If the deadline’s tonight, it’d better be in their inboxes before then or you get paid late. You can’t miss work if you’re a virtual assistant or customer support so you need a backup connection or you’re fired. If you don’t sell anything tonight, you’re doomed!

This is why I’m very passionate about the removal of the 60/40 provision in our constitution. It’s protecting the likes of Smart and Globe and not giving hardworking Filipinos like me a shot at the global marketplace. There’s a huge opportunity for home based Filipino workers, but the problem is we can’t compete. If this stupid economic policy is removed, better services will come in.

In most countries, 2mbps was the minimum speed you’d get for a regular internet account – I’m not sure what it is now. In the Philippines, that’s the maximum you’d get from standard accounts. You want more, you have to pay more; like more than triple the regular fee. My dad lives in California and he downloads a movie in less than 5 minutes. I download a movie for at least 2 hours at my speed of 1mpbs, and it only peaks at around 160kbps in the wee hours of the morning.

I spoke with a customer service rep from Smart and asked if there was any way for me to get a better connection; and she says that only corporations are given such accounts. If I could provide them with the necessary documents, they’d be “happy” to look into my application with no guarantee that it’ll be approved. What a load of BS!

If international telecom companies come in, we’d have more choices. We wouldn’t have to deal with the crap we get from morons who answer hotline numbers. I’m sorry but I can only file a report. The supervisor is handling another call but will coordinate with the support team about your concern. Please monitor your connection and if there’s no change within 24 hours, call us back. We wouldn’t need to go to wireless centers only to find out they can’t help us out (they won’t only inconvenience you, they talk down to you as if you’re an idiot!). Smart, Globe, Digitel and PLDT won’t only ensure that we’re provided better services, they’ll actually care more for their customers if there’s a competitor who’s not only willing to offer superior products but will also treat customers as kings.

The clowns who are against the idea of foreign companies owning 100% of their businesses had better rethink their positions on the matter. Although removing this 60/40 policy doesn’t guarantee that we’ll all be rich in 10 years, it’s better than not having options at all.