Tips in Getting Internet Services in Cebu City

Growing up in a progressive city like Cebu meant growing up with a little complication compared to growing up in the provincial setting. While life in the province was a little laid back, here in cebu city life was at a faster pace. Development in the late 80’s boomed while the communications industry was still monopolized by PLDT. Phones were difficult to come by back then. When government allowed new players to join the market in the 1990’s, and came the era of cellular phones. Islacom was one of the 1^st players followed by Globe telecom. Piltel and Extelcom were also among those that joined.

Towards the late 90’s, when internet was available in the country dial up connections were provided by Mozcom . All you needed to have was a pc, a phone line and a 56k modem then you can chat on MIRC or go surf online.

Today, a lot has changed in terms of IT in Cebu City. Aside from a very reliable internet infrastructure, which backed the growing BPO industry, faster internet speeds are also available for residences. Listed below are the major players:

• PLDT MyDSL Optional: Bundled with telephone line/ view on demand
• Globe broadband Optional: Bundled with telephone line
• SMART Bro Optional: with router or usb
• Bayan Telecommunications broadband Residential plan
• SKY broadband Available only in specific areas
• SUN broadband Optional: with router or usb

I have tried 3 different internet providers all of them provided the published internet speed but did it in an intermittent manner. What I discovered is that sun provided almost the same service within the city at a much lower cost.

Process for getting an internet service:

1. Gather information – ask around, maybe you have friends and neighbours using internet. Ask them their suggestion based on their experience. Surf the net to get additional information.
2. Visit the internet provider – ask some more information. Verify what you heard or researched. Ask them how strong their signal is in your area. When you come into terms with what has been offered you are now ready to make a decision.
3. Prepare the necessary documents – Internet services like any other utilities would require some documentation to prove that you are living in that location. An important document would be a utility bill under your name. Prepare either a VECO, PLDT or an MCWD bill of your present address.

What if those bills are not under your name, does it mean that you cannot avail of their services. TIP: a work around would be to present the same utility bill and get an authorization letter from the person whose name appears on the bill, authorizing you to install internet services in the location.

4. Visit the internet provider again – On your final visit, fill out an application form, attatch your supporting documents and make sure you include a sketch of your location. Then pay the necessary application, gadget and installation fees.
5. Wait- this is the time you wait for things to happen... Most internet providers require a lead time of 5 days for the installation... If I were you I would give them 7 days lead time. However if you really need the connection badly.. you can always pester them by making calls every single hour.. That should keep them excited to install your gadget right away...

TIPS:

• There are internet providers that require a holding time for using their services. These holding period ranges from two years to two months... Choose the one that best fits your needs.