Smart Bro Rocket Tiered Pricing Looks Like A Joke ~ Critical Mindset

As some of you might know already, Smart already launched its own version of 4G wireless broadband internet in Smart Bro Rocket. This new product from Smart comes with a Huawei E353 USB dongle and boasts speed of up to 12 Mbps, which is higher compared to Globe's Tonino Lamborghini (10 Mbps).
However, unlike the latter, Smart only offers prepaid plans with the Smart Bro Rocket. Which bewilders me, I don't really know how they are gonna market this. I don't think they are marketing their internet plans well anyway unlike Globe Tattoo. I haven't seen a good Smart Bro wireless broadband internet commercial for a while. So I'm not really surprised with their ridiculous conditions written in their waiver once you try to subscribe to it in any Smart Wireless Center.

"8.)When you buy the Smart Bro Rocket, you sign a waiver and release that you “given up future legal rights against any misunderstanding about the limitations of the device and the HSPA+ network”. "

So basically you're releasing them of any liability once you sign this waiver. You cannot complain at all if you don't get the service that you expected. This is a huge slap in the face in my opinion.

"2.) The internet rate for the Smart Bro Rocket is pegged at Php10 per 30 minutes.

3.) The current rate is just a promo rate and effective until September 30, 2011. After that, Smart will shift to Volume Packages for the mobile internet rate.

4.) Users can subscribe to the Always On plans (see here).

5.) You are not allowed to use UnliSurf50, UnliSurf100 or UnliSurf200 on the account.

6.) Default charging will revert to Php200 per 180MB after September 30, 2011."

So basically, the initial pricing of the internet is still ₱10 per 30 minutes which is a pretty good deal. However, this all ends on September 30 wherein you will be charged P200 per 180 MB which is ridiculous. Even the Always On plans are ridiculously priced in my opinion. The said plans were intended for high end phones and tablet PCs like iPhone, iPad, Samsung Galaxy series etc. that require to be always connected to internet to continuously receive email, facebook and twitter updates, etc.

So reading all of this, it's all starting to sound like a joke. A sick joke. It's too funny I forgot to laugh. What's the use of a super fast internet connection if you can only use it for a couple of hours?

It's like Smart is stereotyping its subscribers as a bunch of Facebook and Twitter junkies. Because these are practically the only things you can do with Always On plans. You try to do video streaming, torrent downloading, and even online gaming and you're technically burning tons of cash.

I can't see the reason why Smart would go with this ridiculously priced plans with their Smart Bro Rocket and not include a postpaid plan for those people who want unlimited internet bandwidth. I mean, c'mon let's keep it real - you'd want a super fast internet connection to download large files and stream videos faster. I don't think you would want a 12 Mbps connection just to do Facebook and Twitter (tell me if you do). If that's the case then you'd better off with Smart Bro plug it for only ₱995, instead of this overpriced piece of crap.

I hope Smart will introduce an unlimited bandwidth plan with Smart Bro Rocket some time in the future as this will definitely suck otherwise. It doesn't matter if it's a postpaid plan as long as it's competitively priced. It will give them at least a chance to compete with Globe Tattoo because as of right now, the latter is way ahead and Smart is making itself look like a joke.

Please let me know your thoughts regarding this.