Globe Telecom Adds "Metro" to Super Surf

Globe Telecom has quietly implemented a new Fair Usage Policy limiting prepaid broadband subscribers to a measly 1GB/day bandwidth cap. Some of you may have already received an SMS from Globe like this one:

Globe Advisory: Your account has reached 1GB in usage today. Subject to Globe Fair Use Policy, your internet service has been temporarily deactivated and will resume tomorrow. This promo is intended for moderate use. For heavy browsing, please upgrade to our Tattoo Postpaid plans. Thank you.

If you can recall, Globe introduced these unlimited services with the slogan, "Walang Metro". Well now, these so called unlimited services have their own meters disguising themselves as a "Fair Usage" policy.

Time to unlock those prepaid Globe MyFi and switch to Sun Broadband Wireless or Smart Bro for a true UNLIMITED prepaid broadband subscription. I recently got my Globe Galaxy S postpaid line and am planning to get an iPhone 4 prepaid kit. Now I'm having thoughts of getting the iPhone 4 from Globe.

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(UPDATE FROM JEPOY - 11/11/2010): Guys, this policy has long been implemented by Globe and is available from their website from the start.

The Fair Use Policy of Globe is aligned with the global industry practice of telecommunications providers all over the world. It is intended to ensure that all customers will have the equal opportunity to enjoy the services offered by Globe. As such, the Fair Use Policy may be used to protect Globe customers against entities or persons utilizing Globe services in a manner that runs counter to the intent of the product or service, fraudulent, or exceeding normal standards of use.

In your purchase or use of our products and service, you accept our Terms and Conditions and agree to be bound by the policy. Please see as below the terms relating to the relevant service that you have subscribed for.

Tattoo Sticks Broadband (Nomadic)


How is Fair Use applied to this product?

The Globe Tattoo Stick broadband product is designed to provide quick and convenient surfing access while on-the-go (mobile use). It allows you to enjoy mobile broadband service that is fast and reliable – anytime, anywhere.

The product is normally used for emailing, browsing and base search activities. By design, this product is not intended for file sharing software and downloading files in large format like music, videos, and movies (users of peer to peer/torrent applications). In case a customer uses the product other than its intent, the customer might experience slow browsing.

Our fair use policy applies to products or services as well as special offers or promotions, providing data usage for free or at rates lower than standard rates, or unlimited access to data usage.
The Globe Tattoo Prepaid Stick service provides a peak volume capacity currently set at 1 GB per account per day. Should you exceed the peak capacity within the day; the service will be temporarily unavailable until end of day. However, service will resume on the following day.
On the other hand, the Globe Tattoo Postpaid Stick provides a peak volume capacity currently set at 10 GB per account per month.


Am I likely to be affected by the Fair Use Policy?
If you don't use file sharing software or download large files from the internet, it is unlikely that you will ever be affected by this policy. Media streaming and downloading of torrents contribute to your use of bandwidth capacity and if left permanently on, may cause you to be in breach of this policy.


What will happen if my usage requirement is high?
To fully enjoy Globe nomadic broadband services, make a quick assessment of your usage. If it is more than the plan you subscribed for, it would be best to upgrade your plan or subscribe to a broadband service for your home to suit your usage requirement and lifestyle.
Occasional high bandwidth usage is unlikely a cause for concern. However, regular peak bandwidth usage may require you to upgrade your plan to optimize use of the product.


What net activity can I do with 1GB?
With 1 gigabyte capacity, you can do the following activities using the Internet:

• Send/receive 28,000 plain text emails
• Send/receive 3,400 emails with document attachments
• View 3,400 web pages
• Download 250 songs
• Upload/download 2,000 social media posts
• View 340 minutes of streaming video
• Download 1-2, 90-minute movies

Globe Broadband for your Home (WiMAX)

How is Fair Use applied to this product?
The Globe @Home broadband product is designed to provide a steady browsing experience at the convenience of your home. This allows you to enjoy consistently fast and reliable broadband service when you use it. This product may be used for data streaming and heavier file downloads. However, uncommonly high file downloads (users of peer to peer/torrent applications) or commercial usage may result to a slow browsing experience.
Similar to the nomadic sticks, our fair use policy applies to products and services as well as special offers or promotions, providing data usage for free or at rates lower than standard rates, or unlimited access to data usage.
The Globe @Home broadband service currently provides the following peak volume capacity depending on your plan:

• For WiMAX Prepaid: 1GB per account per day
• For WiMAX Postpaid 512kbps: 16GB-20GB per account per month
• For WiMAX Postpaid 1mbps: 21GB-25GB per account per month

If a customer exceeds the peak capacity, the following may be experienced:

• For WiMax Prepaid: service will be temporarily unavailable until end of day and will resume the following day.
• For WiMax Postpaid: slow browsing speed within the month.

Am I likely to be affected by the Fair Use Policy?
If you don't use file sharing software or download large files from the internet it is unlikely that you will ever be affected by this policy. Media streaming and downloading of torrents contribute to your use of bandwidth capacity and if left permanently on, may cause you to be in breach of this policy.


What will happen if my usage requirement is high?
To fully enjoy Globe @Home broadband services, make a quick assessment of your usage. If it is more than the plan you subscribed for, it would be best to upgrade your plan to suit your usage requirement and lifestyle.
Occasional high bandwidth usage is unlikely a cause for concern. However, regular peak bandwidth usage may require you to upgrade your plan to optimize use of the product.

Globe's fair usage policy can be found at http://site.globe.com.ph/broadband/fup?sid=TNu8HsuxpRcAACue-MwAAAABe