Testing: Globe Tattoo Wireless Broadband Prepaid
I reroute the coaxial cable inside so that I can start to perform my tests. Using my laptop, I attached the USB dongle in the USB port via the USB extension cable. Based from the signal strength indicator on Globe Tattoo Manager Application, I only have 2 to 3 bars with WCDMA signal. I lifted the USB dongle and placed the exposed end of the coaxial wire underneath just near the portion of the microSD card insertion. Since the end of the coaxial is somewhat severed, I can’t connect it directly to the USB dongle. See the picture below:
And btw, I’m using Windows 7 RC for this test. I don’t know if the result will differ in other OS.
After a few seconds, the signal strength was in its highest and the signal registered HSDPA. Note again: It depends in your area if you have HSDPA. I initiate the connection and tested the download and upload speed using speedtest.net. I tried 3 different servers to see some variations of the maximum speed the Globe Tattoo can achieve. See the following images below:
So the maximum download speed is estimated around 500-700 kbps and upload speed is 50-100 kbps. I was amazed by the results. You can actually see the graph, the spike indicated it reached 600kbps.
What I learned: It depends on your area, signal strength, type of signal whether HSDPA, WCDMA or GPRS and severity of wireless interferences. Connecting the dongle onto an external antenna preferably the Yagi type can significantly increase and achieve constant signal strength which enable you to experience higher speed the USB dongle can achieve.
Globe won’t have to worry about compatibilities to the upcoming Windows 7 OS to be released this coming holidays since I already tested it. Unless the final version had some major changes that could result in incompatibilities. Let’s hope not.
Do you have a globe tattoo? Share to us your experience whether good or bad. Or subscribe via email to get future updates on my blog. 
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how was the service? was it good?
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well it depends on the location you’re in. Marami kasi factors na makaka-affect ng download speed. Metro Manila is covered by HSDPA which means you can experience 400-700kbps on average and maximum of 1.5 to 2 mbps. So far sa akin ok lang nman ang signal d2 sa san pedro. I also use an external antenna naka detail sa post ko para constant yung HSDPA signal ko.
@Elmo
Can you tell me where I can get an external antenna for the Tatoo USB dongle? We have a site way up in the mountains in Mindanao and signal ng Globe doon is 1bar lang and my connections are really slow so I was thinking since mayroong antenna jack, baka nga mas lumakas ang signal.
Thanks for your info.
@andresi
I don’t know if you can find shops that sell these kind of antennas especially for mobile phones today. Mabenta dati eto nung nag-rorollout pa lang ang smart at globe ng cellsites nila nun para ma-cover buong bansa. most especially sa province at sa mabubundok na lugar. ngaun since most areas in the philippines has signal na, i think mahirap na makahnap nian. I suggest to look someone who knows how to create an antenna. sa internet kc may mga resources on how to make one.
I’m also using Windows 7 RC build, also bought the prepaid tatoo kit last week. ‘was able to download a 792MB movie in 2-1/2 hours only., the first time I used it, the signal was very strong and the download speed was constant at 700Kbps for almost 30 mins straight without glitches., and there was a time when it even peaked up to 1.2Mbps. However, that was an experience only on the first day, on the succeeding days, the signal went from bad to worse., the signal got weak, and I get disconnected after about 5mins., currently, I can only get an intermittent download speed between 120 – 250kbps from which the download spped when downloading files from torrent would only be around 4-5kbps, somewhat similar to mydsl, it sucks! I don’t know what went wrong, still trying to figure it out, been using the kit on the same place everytime. Btw, the kit I bought didn’t come with what you call a dongle wire? mine came with some CDs for games w/c I don’t even play. Is it just some sort of a USB extension ?
@egay
Does it register in WCDMA or GPRS? If you get frequent GPRS connection, that maybe the cause because GPRS connection is like dial up. Try to change the “Network Type” to “WCDMA only” on your Tools>Options>Network settings to make sure it connects only WCDMA or HSDPA (if you have in your area). There are many factors that may affect your download speed including the number of simultaneous Tattoo users currently using theirs at the same time. Another thing maybe the cellsite itself. I usually get speeds in excess of 1.5Mbps and then down to 300kbps alternately every second.
About the additional wire, it is a USB dongle extension included when I bought Tattoo last month. USB extensions are available on most computer shops. Usually it is used to connect to the desktop PC so that you can easily reach your tattoo instead of plugging it directly on the back of your PC.
What area are you in and where did you buy your Globe tattoo? I never knew about CD’s that came with it.
Hi guys! I’m new here. I just bought my Globe Tattoo prepaid kit this morning at Globe Business Center, SM North Edsa. I’ve scanned blogs and forum before taking the consideration to finally purchase my unit. I anticipated the sales person would be asking me where my location was. The lady even told me that internet speed depends on phone signal’s strength and some other factors. Excited I was, I immediately plug the unit to my laptop. At first I was getting 3G connections and surfing was okay. But then, after a couple of minutes it started reading as EDGE-a 2G one. Internet was horrible! I started going to other location of the house, but to no avail it didn’t change a bit. Maybe because it has something to do with the tight space in my area. So there you go, perhaps I just need to find a good spot where I could get better internet connection.
Globe tattoo sucks!!!!! choose SMartbro!
Hi! Just got the globe tattoo, do you know how to properly eject the tattoo from the pc? It doesn’t seem to respond to the “eject” in windows 7.
Also, is it normal that it appears as a cd drive?
Thanks!
@aps
just close the globe tattoo application and un-plug the tattoo usb. It doesn’t seem to work when you do the “eject” in Windows 7. About the CD drive, mine does too but I think it is normal.
Hey, JP. I’m planning to buy Tattoo so I could use it when I head to Romblon. My area in Tan-agan, however, has a really, really weak Globe signal. The phone sales rep told me that I should still post faster Internet speeds even with weak cell signal strengths. I’m inclined to disbelieve this though.
Any thoughts?
I tried my tattoo in Calatrava and it only registered GPRS on my connection. I think this would be the same in San Andres although I don’t have any proof. Odiongan and Romblon, Romblon has a Globe cellsite equipped with HSDPA or 3.5G.
Try using an external antenna designed for mobile phones. Maybe it could boost your signal or be able to pickup at least WCDMA connection.
Smart Bro plug it is now 995 with reviews & suggestions and speeds
http://smartbroplugit.wordpress.com/
Globe Tattoo plug it is now 895 & suggestions and speeds
http://globetattoo.wordpress.com/
Another alternative is SMART Bro Share it with antenna connection possible
http://smartbroshareit.wordpress.com/
You can get the Globe usb or the SUN usb unlocked read more about it at my plug it sites above to use with any sim.
Communicator´s last blog ..Globe Tattoo USB plug it Philippines 895 now
uhmm.. ive been trying to find an external antenna elmo.. pero parang wla na ata sa mundo nun.. hahaha.. may i ask kung anung specs nung external antenna mo??
nakakaasar na kasi tohng tattoo.. haha.. nagtanung ako sa globe service di nmn nila alam kung anung external antenna ilalagay dun o kung anu ang compatible.. thanks!!
i bought my globe tattoo prepaid kit the other weekend primarily because my housemate is using one and he said the speed is good. when i used it, i got so disappointed because connection was intermittent. sometimes, it would go up to 700 kbps, but oftentimes will go down to 0 kbps. in a span of 15 minutes, i would only have internet connection for five minutes. my housemate is not experiencing the same problem. he says his connection is good. there is no problem with my signal because i get five bars of either WCDMA or HSDPA. i called up the customer service hotline thrice and all they are telling me is to monitor the connection. i can’t monitor it everyday because i only planned to use the kit every weekend when i’m not in the office. the last globe tech guy whom i spoke to over the phone said there is nothing wrong with my kit because my signal is stable. he said there is something wrong with the kit if the signal bars are blinking. i think i just wasted hard-earned money for this.
@gee
fuck you..walang kwenta smart bro..globe tatoo ka nalang
after days of intermittent connection (despite a strong 3G signal), my globe tattoo is finally working well. yesterday, there was a point that i was downloading at 1.2 mbps.
akala ko review nung service? may ad pa.
e plano pa lang pala mag-review.
sana hindi muna nag-post.
malamang globe employee yan.
sorry dude… may continuation pala yung testing mo..
im not used to reading a review in a series of pages e, ang dami.
since i only want to know the overall result.
thanks for the review.
Hello,
Just curious how the installer works without the actual device. Do you have the installer backed up somewhere? Can you share it with me? I’ll test this out with my phone and not a usb stick.
Thanks,
can i get alil bit of help?
kasi yung globe tatto kit ko sobrang bagal ng connection….
can anyone help me how to figure this out…?
thanx
pano po ba ang settings na ginagamit nyo…
yung makakaachieve ng maximum speed…
HI im in olongapo my speed is 3.6Mbps but it is slow like connecting via gprs cellphone is there any configuration on how to manage the settings?
super bagal! darn globe! napakadeceiving!
hi…im new here..just want to ask f malakas b ang cgna pg nasa NAGCARLAN LAGUNA ka??
i dont think globe tattoo sucks.
hi, it seems the performance really depends on location. i’m researching what is best to get – Globe tattoo, smartbro or sun. I am located in Boni Ave Mandaluyong area near EDSA. Anyone from this area with experience in any of these products? thx
I bought my Tatto yesterday December 21, 2009. I was really dismayed because the speed was only 76 kbps with 2 bars signal. My place is in Mindanao particulaly in Mintal, Davao City. I hope Globe will improve their services by adding more cellsites and upgrade their equipments so they can increase their subsciriber with a happy face. Globe Management should conduct survey and customer satifactory ratings so they can solve all connectivity problems. I’am presently working in KSA and up to now I cant reach my family thru this GLOBE LOUSY WIRELES BROADBAND (GLWB). This is only a reminders to all Globe Services personnel to look after this mess. If you can provide us external antenna compatible to our equipment that would be find.
Thank you!
mga idol.. panu po ba ausin 2ng globe tattoo ko? noon malakas maxado ang cgnal ko pero ngaun d na mg HSDPA… nilagyan ko kac ng alambre ung antenna port tapos naputol ung alambre. bumara ung alambre sa port, kaya aun hangang GPRS nlng. ayaw nya mg.connect kung WCDMA only..
Hey guys i need help i bought a globe tattoo prepaid kit and when i plug to my PC there are problem it could not detect the my globe tattoo it appear a new device found so i follow the step in installation then suddenly it need Service pack 2 CD to install the device. I guess my PC is a problem but do i need to install again another OS again i thought it compatible in in Microsoft?
better switch to smartbro modems..i have a globe e1552 modem and a smartbro zte modem both were unlock and based on test,smartbro gets more signal so it can go to full speed…God bless guys
Guyz i’m from calatrava, romblon. We only have gprs signal here. I prefer to use Globe Tattoo Broadband prepaid. Guyz your heard about cproxy?
all usb port on my PC does not funtioning when my globe tattoo is attached. all my usb port is useless when im using my globe tattoo. i tried smartbro usb broadband usb port are all funtioning. why on globe tattoo only? pls. help! anyone….