The Cat(6) is out of the bag

AFEW weeks ago, actress Liza Soberano made the headlines when she complained about her Internet service. And faster than she could scream “Lag na!,” PLDT came to her rescue, installing a 300 Mbps connection and inspiring her to tweet; “The best Internet I have ever experienced in my whole 5 years of living in this house.”

There is no question, the Internet isn’t a luxury anymore but a utility, much like electricity and water. I know some people who could survive a couple of days without water but would lose their minds if they don’t have an Internet connection for more than a few hours.

The Internet has become even more of a necessity with more people choosing to work from home along with their kids who are also studying from home. But not all of us can do a Liza Soberano, and PLDT has limited manpower to service all those applications, repairs and equipment upgrades.

For those who need Internet connection in their homes, the best alternative would be to get a PLDT Home Wifi Prepaid connection. All you have to do is order the prepaid Internet kit and once it arrives you can enjoy a fast Internet connection in less than 5 minutes.

PLDT HOME WIFI CAT6

LAST month, I made the switch to test out the latest PLDT Home Wifi Prepaid Cat6 Modem.

The Cat6 modem uses carrier aggregation and combines frequency channels to power LTE to deliver faster speeds. The new modem can deliver 2x faster speeds in 4G areas with carrier aggregation and via 5Ghz-capable devices.

It also includes a high-gain external antenna that allows stronger and more reliable data transmission. PLDT Home Wifi Prepaid is powered by Smart LTE, the fastest mobile network in the Philippines as certified by Ookla.

The kit contains the huge modem, which is almost twice the size of the previous Cat4 unit, a pair of external antennas, power adapter, Ethernet/lan cable, and quick user guide. The SIM card is already pre-installed and I suggest you not removing it.

The modem unit is a Green Packet DH-725 manufactured by a company called Green Packet Berhad. Quick research reveals that Green Packet is an internationally recognized telecommunications, media and technology company that was founded in California’s Silicon Valley in 2000 and subsequently listed on the Malaysian Stock Exchange in 2005.

They have developed many firsts in the industry for telecommunications operators globally including the world’s first Multi-mode LTE Modem and WIMAX Modem that allow users to experience the best 4G-connection on a single device at anytime, anywhere.

Exploring the modem, you’ll see eight LED indicators for power, Wifi 2.4GHZ, Wifi 5.0GHZ, connection status, SIM card status, and signal strength. At the back you’ll see the antenna connectors, power connector, and the reset button. Just like the Cat4 modem, this unit also has 2 LAN ports, which allows wired connection of two devices. The SIM card slot is at the top of the unit and sealed with a sticker to let you know that the SIM card has not been tampered or replaced.

You will also notice the presence of vents to keep the modem cool as well as an elevated stand for extra ventilation at the bottom.

Like previous PLDT Home Wifi Prepaid modems, this one is also a plug-and-surf device, which means the modem needs no installation and is easy to use, especially for children at home (with adult supervision). The only assembly it requires is screwing on the two antennas at the back of the unit. To get the best results place the modem it near a window facing an open space.

After that, all you need to do is plug in the adaptor to a power outlet. The LEDS will light up, and in about a minute, when the LED lights become stable, it’s ready for connection. The modem comes with free 10GB of data (valid for seven days) upon activation so you can already connect to the Internet.

Newer devices that support the Wifi 5.0GHZ band will show two SSIDS when you search for Wifi. You can connect to either one, and the default password/s are indicated on the Green Packet label/sticker at the back of the modem.

But before you do, I strongly suggest you change the Wifi name and password by accessing the modem’s dashboard. Setting it up can be a little bit tricky, especially if it’s your first time, so here’s a quick guide to help you out.

1. Once your PLDT Home Wifi device is setup and plugged in, connect your device using the default network name and password. If you are using a PC/ laptop, you can opt to use the LAN cable to directly connect to the modem without the need of password.

2. Open your web browser and type in https://192.168.1.1 or https://pldthomewifisettings.net to access the device’s dashboard, log in using the default PLDT Home Wifi admin account (username: pldthome, password: pldthome).

3. It will prompt you to change the following: admin/device password, Wifi name (SSID), and Wifi password.

4. Input your desired password. Remember that passwords should be at least 12 characters long and must contain uppercase, lowercase, digits (0-9), and special characters. Make sure to write it down in case you forget it.

5. Now, if you forget your Wifi password or want to reset it to default, check the back part of your modem and look for the RESET button. Using a paperclip/ SIM tool, press it for 10 seconds, release and wait for it to restart. You can then use the original password indicated on the modem again.

To ensure maximum performance of the Internet connection, PLDT Home Wifi Prepaid modems can connect up to five devices.

Using the Speedtest app/web site and testing it in Novaliches, Quezon City, I was able to record fantastic download speeds of 70.52 Mbps and upload speeds of around 23Mbps, and I’m only getting two signal bars (I’ve placed it in the corner of my room far from the window). Take note that the quality of connection depends on location, so your results may be different. I usually load it for an entire week’s usage and for my regular browsing and blogging work, and I still have some data left by the end of the seventh day.

You can load up your PLDT Home Wifi Prepaid at any PLDT, Smart and Sun Stores nationwide, sari-sari stores, convenience stores and digital channels like Paymaya and Grab Pay. Make sure to download the MYPLDT app so you can manage and monitor your remaining data.

PLDT Home Wifi also recently introduced two new data packages, Famload Study 599 and Famload Study 999, which are tailor-fitted to students’ e-learning needs.

With the new Famload Study, parents can have peace of mind that the Internet will not detach their children’s attention from their studies because each package is packed with dedicated access to learning sites and apps. Famload Study 599 offers 3GB data every day for 15 days that can be used to access top learning sites and apps including Microsoft 365 tools, the Gabay Guro app, Canvas, and NEO. These modern learning platforms are being used by local and international schools, and give students and teachers an advanced online learning experience. The Famload Study 599 also provides 12GB open access data for other online activities such as chatting with classmates, consulting with teachers, and researching and brainstorming for projects.

Meanwhile, the Famload Study 999 is perfect for those who need bigger data for heavy-data online activities such as video classes and conference calls, and the convenience of having enough data that can be used for up to one month. It offers 90GB data or 3GB everyday good for 30 days that students can use to access their online learning platforms. Famload Study 999 also has 24GB open access that can be used for other study needs, such as e-mail, social media, online research, messaging apps, and more.

The new PLDT Home Wifi Prepaid is a great option for families who either live in areas without fiberto-the-home facilities, or prefer a prepaid Internet connection so as not to worry about their monthly bills. This is also for heavy Internet users at home who need 2x faster connectivity that they can use for multiple uploads and downloads of their work/school requirements.

The new PLDT Home Wifi Prepaid Cat6 is available at PLDT Home’s official online stores in Lazada and Grabmart, and at www.pldthome.com/ homewifi.

TECH THOUGHTS:

“We often forget that there is a person behind that avatar who isn’t always smiling. Be kind with your comments.”