Smart Communications already had a number of Smart Spots media-only events in the metro in past few months in bars and those growing food parks around the metropolis but last night, it was unique as they opened it to the public and that night, it was their pit stop at some of the food-related establishments in Barangay Poblacion, Makati
The opening ceremony of Smart Spots was held last night at Handlebar, Makati led with the presence of PLDT Chairman, President and CEO Manny V. Pangilinan and some of the owners of the bars and food places in the said barangay (with that symbolic push button as the start of Smart Spots in that vicinity) As long as you can see a big Smart Spots logo, for sure you will will get benefits from their free trial of fast wireless internet and later value for money 2 hours of time based connection for Php 20 (which I will gonna tell more of it below)
That time was also my first time to try the Smart Spots. At first, you will be given free 30-minutes of WiFi access by only filling in any mobile number and check the terms and conditions to join. If your 30 minutes is over, it is a better option to have at least one of the tri-net (Smart, Sun or TNT) for you to avail of their Smart WiFi which will give you 2 hours of fast WiFi connectivity valid for 2 days for only Php 20. The easiest option for me is to have is you have at least Php 20 to register by texting WIFI20 and send to 9991. After the registration, you will be receiving a Smart WiFi PIN which will be your gateway to use the said service.
As a trial, I went first for the free 30 minutes of service and from the 3 random speedtests that I got, it was indeed usable for me for some high quality video streaming or uploading Youtube videos, Facebook and other internet-related stuff that requires time-based surfing service. It got some very good results from my testing from past 7:40 to 8:10 pm . I also tried to get around 700 MB of various types of files online and I am done for less than 7 minutes. My weapon of choice by the way during that test was the Huawei GR5 2017. Good thing, I had a chit-chat with Mr. Marvin Acantilado of Smart and got some precious info that you might gonna see on the FAQs section:
1. For example, if you used the free Smart Spots WiFi service from 4 to 4:30 pm this Friday, you can only gonna get the free service on the next day after exactly 24 hours.
2. The paid Smart WiFi service is consumable by the second which gives more value out of your 20 pesos.
Because of the Smart WiFi, I also realized that finally for Smart, they answered this particular missing link that Smart Bro Prepaid does have so far which Smart Prepaid and TNT does not have - time based browsing. For sure, I will gonna use that service and pay for it as the need arises on my everyday blogging chores and be in the mood there at the said place.