A Place Bad for IT, Students & Computer Savvy

I have been visiting different places in Davao City and I have noticed that there are places where it is not good for IT people, students, researchers and computer savvy. These people will not enjoy once internet accessibility is a big, big, big question.

There was a situation that my friend was looking for a place to stay for the rest of his life. He was an OFW, who worked in Europe as an IT consultant and designer for more than 20 years. He wanted to stay in Bago Aplaya, Davao City for his new hive, but he was surprised that the place did not meet one or two of his criteria, namely: High-speed internet connection (wired and wireless – DSL), and good cellular reception with 3G and/or HSDPA speed connection. He asked me to accompany him to the telecommunication providers (PLDT, SMART, Globelines, Bayantel, and Skycable) if there are available services for his needs, and sad to say no one commits.

So, We did a survey and look at what we found out:

• PLDT = OK with limited telephone lines available but no DSL services
• Globelines = on-going development (Toril was there priority)
• Globe Handyphone = very strong signal reception (possible 3G and HSDPA speed connection)
• Sun Cellular = very strong signal reception (3G and/or HSDPA speed connection is not available)
• SMART Cellular = very poor signal receptions
• SMART Broadband = very poor signal receptions (needs to erect 30- 40 feet of tower in order to receive acceptable signal strength, but not the excellent signal strength —- meaning during heavy rains no signal at all)
• SKYCABLE = on-going replacement of catv line amplifiers in order to provide internet services.

When we visited a newly opened subdivision, my friend wondered why this place have a DSL services offered by PLDT, then I told my friend immediately that as far as I remember that one of the statement from people in PLDT Bangkal Exchange that the people in a newly opened subdivision requested to PLDT Cebu to put up DSL services. In my mind, maybe PLDT’s DSL expert designers and planners in Cebu have lack of information regarding Bago Aplaya status or maybe the manager of PLDT Bangkal Exchange don’t have a nerve to tell people or persuade the authorities in PLDT that at least include in their plans about high-speed internet connection for Bago Aplaya. As far as I remember , most common defense mechanism of people in PLDT Bangkal Exchange that even their manager don’t have DSL connection, so meaning …you don’t have either also.

I’ve meet one person residing in a subdivision at Bago Aplaya during my visits in PLDT Bangkal Exchange for a business transaction that he applied for DSL connection 3 years ago, but until now is not available because of many unbelievable reasons. He went to Globelines also to inquire about the DSL connection and Globelines replied that they are fast tracking their development and installation of their system towards Toril. Globelines told him that their DSL are now available in Downtown, Matina, Matina Aplaya, NHA Bangkal and Central Park only. Currently, Toril is now on-going improvements accordingly.

If you are coming to Davao City for you to stay for life, just consider the following:

1. Water supply (continuous clean water supply from DCWD)
2. Power supply (stable Davao Light Power Supply)
3. Safety and security (peace and order stability, disaster or emergency responses)
4. Environmental Considerations (is it noisy or not? look at you neighbors also, history of calamities like floods, typhoons, earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, etc.)
5. Telecommunications (high-speed internet, cable television, telephone, cellular receptions)
6. Schools, Churches, Public Markets, Malls
7. Business Places

Have fun staying in Davao City. In overall situations, Davao City is still a better place to live in.