Hands-on: Smart Bro Share It
Mobile service provider Smart Communications Inc. offers a lot of Internet connection solutions ranging from fixed home connections to mobile broadband sticks. But their latest and least publicized product, the Smart Bro Share It, is, in our humblest opinion, the most versatile and most useful in their portfolio. Read on to find out why.
The name "Share It" is a spin-off from "Plug-it," which is the name of Smart's 3.5G broadband sticks. Unlike the plug-it, however, Share It is meant to be used by multiple devices as it's basically a Wi-Fi router with a SIM card slot.
When it first debuted last year, a Share It package cost P999 per month (one year lock-in) + a one-time fee of P2,500 for the router. This entitled users to 90 hours of Web surfing with a published maximum speed of 1mbps.
In July 2009, however, the service became "unlimited" for the same monthly price, the router fee was waived, and the speed is upped to 2mbps. Great deal, but there's a catch: It comes with a two-year lock-in. If you have no plans to switch ISPs, however, this shouldn't be a problem.
The included router is a Huawei B933 Wireless Gateway. It can take up to five Wi-Fi and one wired user via the LAN port.
Power is supplied by a 5-watt adapter that has a standard USB Type B plug. Now we know you're wondering whether it could be plugged into any USB port and still get juiced. Well, the answer is both yes and no. It's very picky and erratic; it worked with our test desktop unit when we first plugged it in, but we didn't have the same success when we plugged it into a laptop.
When we plugged it into the desktop again (on the same port), it didn't work. Nonetheless, we proved that it can be done.
A screw-on antenna port allows you to connect an external antenna (sold separately) to increase the router's range, although we've had no problems using the internal antenna. Signals are pretty stable for multi-level homes, although admittedly not as powerful as a stand-alone router's.
Ports
If the routing capabilities of the B933 aren't up to your standards, you have the option to connect a different router via the LAN jack. Smart, however, warned us that they have received mixed feedback regarding this, so it's best that you test it out first.
On the extreme right is a telephone jack which you can use to hook up any phone and use it like you would a landline. BUT, and this is a big but, this Smart Bro service is still in the works, according to their helpline (*1888).
Being the techies that we are, however, we replaced the Bro SIM with a Smart Gold mobile SIM and lo and behold! Instant wireless landline! This effectively makes the Share It router a one-stop wireless communications hub for your home.
Speed
Connection speeds never reached the advertised 2mbps, but that is to be expected. The speed test on the left was conducted in the Pioneer-Mandaluyong area, and the one on the right was taken in Tondo, Manila.
According to Smart, you are free to transport the Share It router anywhere in the metro as long as there's a 3.5G signal. If you have an AC socket in your car, you can turn your car into a rolling Wi-Fi hotspot. Or if you're a nomad constantly on the lookout for a cheaper place to rent, you need not deal with fixed-line ISPs.
Verdict
There's little reason not to get excited over the Share It. If you have a decent 3.5G signal in your area and if your current ISP performs worse than the speeds posted above, we recommend that you switch ASAP.
Click here for more information about the Smart Bro Share It.
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