Ako si Eagleman!: Internet Connection in Odiongan - Online blog of John Paul Monje

Internet Connection in Odiongan

Mar 13, 2008JP aka Elmo
Eagleman Blog
Blogger

Staying here in Odiongan, Romblon for more than 2 months now is really a challenge especially for a newcomer like me. As you may recall from my previous posts, I permanently reside here in Romblon to handle our direct selling business. Add to that a photocopying service and soon to be Internet Cafe if all went on budget. Being here is not that different from where I've spent my whole life with. I'm talking about my sweet home San Pedro, Laguna which I spend most of the day connected to the online world. Here is different. I don't have a net connection yet.

My friends knew me for being frequent when it comes to going online. That is my life since I had my first Internet experience way back 1999. Since then I become an addict. Imagine I don't have an Internet connection even though I have a PC in the shop. I thought I go crazy if I haven't went online at least everyday. That proved me wrong. Today, I don't crave some of the habits I do before even watching television. I go online sometimes by renting PC's on some Internet and PC shops in the area. However, I plan to do this everyday and that could cost me more than 30 pesos a day. I'm a budget concious nowadays now that I'm fully independent. What to do?

There are Internet connection subscriptions available in Odiongan. Wireless connections and via landline (DSL) are the two types of data services offered for both residential and commercial. First, I tried applying for a wireless connection in OWAP but to no avail. I feel they won't let me because some say their network is already congested. Maybe they heard that I was planning to put up an Internet shop and that could rival their own iCafe just around the corner. I dunno. Next, I went to OTELCO, the local telephone operator here in Odiongan. The shop already has a landline connection under OTELCO. This gave me an idea before that the telco is able to offer both voice and data services. However, this kind of service (DSL) is a new service offering starting this year to their current and soon to be OTELCO subscribers. After applying for a subscription, they noted on our application that the process may take a week. The final installation will took several weeks after processing. The necessary equipment to provide DSL signal on telephone wires costs P65000+ and that the company hasn't been able to purchase yet.

And so I wait...and wait...I'm bored...wait again.

March 11, 2008 4 pm, the OTELCO technical guys arrived along with the modem. I was overjoyed. I like the small modem. Picture below:

The subscription plan was 128 kbps for P1500 a month. Expensive right?! Compared to DSL plans offered by Smart/PLDT and Globelines. The problem is the lack of equipment and tools of those aformentioned big players in the country to deploy their services here. OTELCO however is powered by PLDT/Smart but does not offer what PLDT/Smart were able to promote in Mega Manila. We did an application before on SmartBro to be installed in our shop. Our application was rejected, the signal for data services here is too weak to establish an Internet connection. Then how was I able to surf the net with speeds of up to 100kbps on my Smart mobile phone if there's insufficient signal for data services here?

I hope the government of Romblon pave way for these two big players to enter here so that customers can choose an alternative and initiate a healthy competition.

Technorati Tags: Odiongan, Internet, DSL

Labels: Internet, Personal, Philippines

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1 responded to "Internet Connection in Odiongan"

By batterytex batteries, at 4/05/2008

It is interesting to see that there is a blogger out there in romblon -- I was born and raised in Manila and always glad to see that the blogosphere flourishes elsewhere.

Do you need laptop batteries ?