Phil Products Fibre - Two Thumbs Up.. So Far

[BrettGC]

As most of you know, I haven't seen the AM (Angry Midget, wife) in person since February 2020 due to the beer bug.  Yes it's been tough but we'd been using the internet, mainly FB messenger video chat, to maintain almost constant contact.  Basically if we were both at home the stream would be on, we'd sit and chat or go about our business around our respective homes but it was always there.  Well there was an exception:  Every Friday night a bunch of my veteran mates and myself would get together on Zoom and have a few beers and a laugh and just hangout, we're scattered around the country and in a couple of cases, the world.  We'd been doing it for years, even before Zoom became more well known due to the virus, and AM didn't like to see the antics etc so we'd "off the call". 

Around February this year, her connection began to degrade significantly; constant drops out, video and voice stutter and freezing up during peak until we ended up not being able to connect at all even with voice only calls. It was a Globe DSL connection.  After constant complaints both by phone and in person, they refused to acknowledge there was a problem other than to say "you need more load", so she'd top it up, but no improvement.  

As our frustration grew she noticed a new store in downtown Guihulngan advertising fibre internet. She made enquiries and was told they're not quite out to her place yet but they'll get in touch when they are.  I naturally thought that's be the last we hear from them unless she checks in with them herself but no, they called her when they were ready to install.  So she went in and paid the 2KPHP for the connection fee and booked the installation.  Guy shows up to install but tells her that she needs to purchase some steel piping to run the cable from the highway to the house.  The piping needs to be buried and covered in concrete.  Yes they'd previously done a site survey, no they didn't inform her of this requirement   So off she goes, buys the stuff, her brother puts it all in and she gives Phil Products a call.  "Ok ma'am, just wait two days for the concrete to cure and we'll be there".  They actually showed up on time and did the install.  

30 minutes later she calls my by video on FB messenger and viola!  Perfect, crystal clear connection.  A week later it's still perfect.  

I was dubious from the start though, after some research into to the company I found largely negative reviews but so far it's been great!  It's an even better connection than I have to some people here in Australia on the NBN; testament to fibre to the home (FTTH) rather than fibre to the node I suspect; but don't get me started on that rant.  

She pays 1599PHP/month for unlimited @ 15Mps with about 100 TV channels bundled in.  Didn't have to pay for the modem but they'll take it back if we ever disconnect.  

She's able to stream video and stay connected to me without any hiccups even on a 15Mps connection, again testament to FTTH.  

Other than not being informed of the trench digging etc, it's been a positive experience so far.  

I have no idea of their coverage outside of east coast Negros but I know they're rapidly expanding.  

 

 

[Old55]

That's great news Brett we can only imagine how you both miss each other. It's not going to be long now things will start opening up.

[BrettGC]

4 minutes ago, Old55 said:

That's great news Brett we can only imagine how you both miss each other. It's not going to be long now things will start opening up.

Yeah it's been tough but we're getting there.  I'm 1/2 on my vaccinations and I was informed last week that the PI consulate here in Australia is going to start processing 13A's again in July/August.  The reinstating of the contact online has been a great moral booster.  It's just comforting to know we're there and can maintain contact when ever we like.  Even the chickens, dogs and roosters in the background as well as the nieces and nephews making a heap of noise makes me smile.  

Biggest lesson for me is seeing people whinge about life in PI but not looking for alternatives or solutions to the problems; it raises my eyebrows.  Granted, there's stuff that can't be solved, but hell, at least they're there, so they may want to think about that. Thankfully, there's few of those types on this forum.  

[Jollygoodfellow]

5 hours ago, BrettGC said:

she gives Phil Products a call.

Its actually named Fil Products Services TV Inc

https://filprod-dgte.ph/