After more than 3 weeks of testing the Globe Tattoo Lamborghini (4G), we’ve come to the conclusion that if you can’t connect to the HSPA+ network then you’re better off with your normal 3G USB stick. We tested the 4G Globe Postpaid Tattoo Lamborghini against the 3G Smart Prepaid Power Plug-it and the results are heartbreaking.
1st Test Parameters
Time: 4PM
Area: Greenhills
Weather: Sunny
We did the speed tests in my condo in Greenhills for both the Smart Power Plug-it and it delivered 1.27mbps. Average speed was around 1.1mbps for the hour. This is a 3G powered, prepaid USB kit.
On the other hand we have the Globe Tattoo Tonino Lamborghini. It couldn’t connect to HSPA+ and it was only able to deliver a 0.67mbps. Average speed for the afternoon was around 0.55mbps. Watching the speed test show the results felt like a dagger stabbing my heart (or the heart of my wallet) since the Globe Tattoo Tonino Lamborghini is postpaid and it has a lock-in period of 24 months.
2nd Test Parameters
Time: 10PM
Area: Greenhills
Weather: Not raining.
At around 10PM we did the tests again. This time the Globe Tattoo Tonino Lamborghini was a little bit faster on the average compared to the Smart Power Plug-it. The Globe Tattoo Lambo registered an average of 2.4mbps while the Smart Power Plug-it was hitting 2mbps.
We did another test around 2:30AM and the Globe Tattoo already kicked all the way up to 4mbps and the Smart was left behind at the 2-2.5mbps range. However this only happens at around 1:30AM – 7AM. For the rest of the day the Globe Tattoo Tonino Lamborghini delivers less speed or is just at par with the Smart Power Plug-it.
To be fair with Globe I sent their PR an e-mail with the screenshots as well as the narrative above. This was their response:
Thanks again for bringing this to our concern. Just a few comments to address your concerns:
1. Globe continues to expand its 4G HSPA+ presence monthly, with commercial deployment ongoing in key cities in the country. Unfortunately, the Greenhills/San Juan areas are not yet covered as of end-June. Thus, the speeds experienced are still at 3G with the Tattoo Tonino Lamborghini stick.
2. It is important to note that even though the Greenhills/San Juan areas are still not covered by 4G HSPA+, subscribers can already enjoy internet speeds of up to 5Mbps, which is a result of the ongoing network upgrades for Globe’s voice and data services.
3. Internet speeds are dependent on location and the number of subscribers simultaneously connected to the network. Globe’s network team will check network issues in the Greenhills area.
4. Even though the Greenhills/San Juan areas are not yet covered by our 4G HSPA+ rollout, we still showcase our Tattoo Tonino Lamborghini device in our Globe Store in Greenhills because of foot traffic as well as to drive product awareness.
5. For June, new HSPA+ sites have been added in Taguig, Las Pinas, Marikina, Muntinlupa Pateros, Pasig, Paranaque, and Quezon City. ABS-CBN and NAIA are already 4G HSPA+ covered!
6. All Globe customer service channels have been proactive when it comes to doing callouts in notifying subscribers that the 10Mbps promise of the product can only be enjoyed if they are based in a 4G HSPA+ covered site.
We hope this clarifies your concerns. As we continue to aggressively improve the network and upgrade to 4G, we have made sure to make this technology accessible to the public, via the first 4G mobile broadband stick and the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S2—the first commercially available 4G mobile device.
So what’s our conclusion? Early adopters of the service (like us) will not get their money’s worth because the 4G network of Globe is very limited at the moment. The “up to 5mbps” speed promised for non-4G covered sites also is only attainable during certain times of the day, mostly around 1:30AM. You can only truly enjoy the service if you regularly use it in areas where there is HSPA+ coverage. Otherwise you’re really better off getting the 3G dongles. The product has potential but it depends on how fast they can roll out the network in Metro Manila.
Hopefully Globe delivers on their promise to have Greenhills and Taguig fully covered by their network by November. I usually am in Fort Bonifacio everyday for work and despite their announcement that Taguig is covered, I haven’t found an HSPA+ site yet in the following areas: Burgos Circle, BHS, and 26th Street. As for Greenhills the results of the tests above show what happens if you’re not under HSPA+ network.
And that’s a wrap! Will post a new update when we finally have HSPA+ coverage in either my office in Taguig or in Greenhills. ‘Till then this Globe Tattoo Tonino Lamborghini will just be another back-up internet device (a rather expensive one).
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