How is the Internet here?
A regular reader of this blog left a comment on another post asking about Internet availability and quality here in the Philippines. I thought I’d answer that question on a new post.
When I first moved here in 2000, the quality of Internet connections was terrible… dialup only! Being an Internet Professional, it is hard for me to do business with only a slow connection. However, I am happy to report that things are much better today! As long as you live in a town of decent size up to a City, you can expect that DSL will be available. In large cities you have even more choices with multiple DSL providers and also Cable Internet coming into play. Cable has been available in Manila for a few years already, but it will be available in Davao by next month too.
Cost of the Internet varies depending on the speed that you desire. The lowest end DSL plans are 512Kbps download speed and cost P999 (about $20). They have several plans to choose from. Next up is 1.2Mbps download speed which is P1995 per month (about $40). The next plan is the one I have, which is 2.2Mbps download speed for P3000 per month (about $60). There is a new plan coming which is 5Mbps download speed for P5,000 per month (about $100). All of these prices are for PLDT (Philippine Long Distance Telephone) as the provider, as they are the most widely available in the country. I have used PLDT as my provider for about 4 years now, and have been pretty happy with their service.
Thanks for your helpful site! I’ve been sending money left and right to my family and it just seems not enough everytime, and your replies to the blog helps me understand about the current Philippines … and that is … I am sending too…. much.
Thanks again.
Hi Lii B - Always keep in mind that the average Filipino family lives on only around $100 per month or so. So, indeed, you should not need to send a huge amount of money to support them.
Not all internet cafes are the same Bob, mines shut at the moment because we are having to build up to accomodate the business but what we have is like an open plan office type of environment for business users with your own pc/fax/printer/scanner telephone/etc …… then a seperate area upstairs for chat and games. Cost …. for the business centre 30 pesos an hour + phone fax and printing costs … cheap considering that you can run your business from our premises. Chat and games are just 10 ps an hour right now …. we’ll be open again in about 3 months following the re-furb look us up at Loloks Internet and International Business Centre Veloso Street, Obrero, 8000 Davao City …… we also supply mailboxes etc ….. We’re not all the same
Hi Alf - i agree that not all are the same. I used to own a chain of Internet Cafes myself, and I know they were different.
Good luck with your enterprise!