I've used one for the last few months in Bohol. I wouldn't want to mass table with it, or stream video, but it worked ok. I would think the signal would be better in Cebu.

Even in Cebu city, you aren't going to be able to stream video and movies with a Smart Bro stick. I mean you can watch youtube and the like, just fine, but if you wanted to stream an entire movie, via 1channel or Tubeplus, forget about doing that with just the Smart Bro stick.

As for mass tabling, depends on how many tables. When the connection is at it's best, you'll be able to play 3 or 4 tables, but 8 - 12, unlikely it will ever be good enough to play that many.

The other think about the Smart Bro stick, is that the connection is inconsistent, even in Cebu City. Sometimes it will be very solid, at other times, not so solid. You kind of have to take what you get, when you get it.

If you want a serious internet connection that can do anything, don't get this one.

If you want something that is light, easy to take with you when on the go, does all of the basic - moderate things you'll want to do on the net, and isn't too expensive, then this is a fine choice.
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It's been a couple years since I've used one, but it was mostly pretty horrible in my experience. It depends on exactly where you are in relation to the cell tower, with most spots not too great.

Also, if you are cut off (happened very often to me), you will need to reconnect and this costs you 5 pesos every time this happens. Well...you pay for it in units of 15 minutes, 5p/min. If you get cut off after two minutes, the remainder of that 5p is wasted. It gets expensive very quickly.

When I had it, mid 2010, there was a cheaper option then this. 200p for unlimited use for 5 days. Had to be 5 consecutive days mind you, so 5 days from whatever day you purchased it regardless of use. Still though, much cheaper then all of the other options they have for it.

I had no problems 12 tabling my Smart Bro when I used it in either Subic or Makati. Here in Puerto its a bit erratic but I haven't had to use it as my landline seems to be pretty solid.

so judging by the last 2 posts wouldnt that be the cheapest and best internet option for makati?

isnt that like $25 a month?

what am i missing?

Well, yeah, but there are a lot of better connections for that price as well. Depends how long you are planning on staying. Alot of the better connections, require a contract, and sometimes they don't want to grant them to none residents, which includes most foreigners.

If you're only planning on staying a short time, or want something you can carry with you in your pocket from place to place, then, yes, the Smart Bro USB stick is going to be one of the best, if not the best, options.

If you pay the full yearly amount up front, they will accept you. That's about $285 for a SmartBro connection @999p/month.

With the Smart Bro your able to grind tables but the second you start adding in browsing/streaming/downloading it becomes next to impossible to use.

As a Poker only internet device its ok it isn't perfect. When you start doing other internet things it becomes next to worthless.

I used it Smart Bro in Manila and it was fine as long as you had line of sight out of your window, on the lower floors it was horrible. Once I got 5 bars on the upper floors I was able to multitable. It would cut out maybe once a day and only for 15 or so seconds. Doing 10 or so tables was very doable.

If you are living here get a land connection and use the Smart Bro for back up if poker and solid internet is at all important to you. You find out very quickly Dante that trying to cut corners may result in misery in the Phils. This goes for everything...

Xevera Mabalacat starting at 3500 pesos a month... http://philippinesrealtysource.com/?p=651 I'm half joking half serious with this... It IS one 20 minute jeepney ride from Angeles and Fields Avenue. Dante, at the end of the day this might be up your alley. I visited some folks there and its doable, very low budget but doable... It seems to me that you are going to be much happier near Angeles than in Manila...

what do you think the internet would be like there? safe area?

isnt that link to buying a house?

and why do you say i would be happier near angeles? the whore to guy ratio?

Well its just easier in Angeles from whores to laundry... If you want to smoke, you will be able to find like minded people. You want to just have a drink, it will be cheap and with like minded people. You want to whore... At the end of the day it has everything you want without the costs and hassle of Manila (and Manila is just down the road). Xevera is available for rent starting at 3500 like I said... You concerned about the ad being for sale? Have you googled any of this? Seek and ye shall find... You can actually squat on several blocks of Xevera (unsold abandoned units) quite a spectacle that place...

ok ill look into it thanks

i like the aspect of makati being safe, but im not really liking that its the most expensive area and also the pollution sounds awful

since im blindly moving over any suggestions are much appreciated, you think it would be pretty safe right?

Just curious: Why would you guys consider living somewhere like Makati when there are some beatiful locations available still somewhat near Manila, but without be so crowded and polluted?

One of the places I'm looking at is Lipa City. It's an hour and a half south of Manila, but looks significantly more peaceful. (ThanX L4Freedom for this suggestion! It looks soooo promising!)

Different strokes for different folks.