Thanks a lot, PLDT, I learned the value of utmost patience and perseverance.
After 12 gruesome days of pointlessly monitoring our modem and calling you guys day in and day out, FINALLY, you restored our internet connection for about 10 hours now.
I cannot stress how important a stable connection is to me, since I work from home. It was a struggle to rely solely on mobile data and pocket WiFi services which are both unstable and slow here in our country. It made me feel pity for my beloved Philippines, paying for expensive yet below-than-average internet speeds (yes, we have one of the slowest internet speeds in Asia and the world)! How appalling.
#ConfidentlyShittyServiceWithoutAHeart
The first 6 days were terrible. It started on the evening of January 25th, I thought it was just a minor and short-lived disconnection, but to my surprise, it lasted for about an hour or so. I called up PLDT to report this and gave me a ticket number. I called everyday after that, just so they know how easily frustrated I am for cutting my service like that. On the third day, they informed me that I was part of a “network downtime” within our area. I accepted defeat and continued to ask for follow ups 3-4 times a day, everyday.
Sarcasm at its finest!
On the 6th day, I was told that my ticket has been closed because “network downtime” has been resolved already. I told them, “we would not be having this conversation if this was resolved”, so they gave me another ticket number since the previous one has been automatically closed by their system. How inconvenient.
Handy dandy Smart Bro Pocket WiFi
As an alternative, I used our Smart Bro Pocket WiFi, which was a bit “moody”. Good thing, I have found a good spot near the window, just so I can enjoy a slow but stable connection. Thankfully, I was able to do work and coordinate with my employers and team mates. I fear that they may start to think how irresponsible I was with my tasks, because I was offline for most of the time recently.
Smart Bro Pocket WiFi Speed Test
I remember back in college when I depended on a Sun Broadband Internet Stick at home to do school work and coordinate with my classmates. I would spend hours and hours patiently downloading and uploading edited video projects, and I was ok with it. I was really ok with it. But that was before! Now, I don’t have all the time in the world to wait. My employers don’t have time to wait for me. My job is in jeopardy.
I started to think of other alternatives, like applying for a Globe Platinum Broadband service, or getting an office job. I have been really frustrated and stressed out by this problem. What irks me more is that these agents and engineers cannot fully grasp the extreme hassle and stress this has caused me, my job and my life.
Globe Platinum Broadband Plans
Yesterday morning (Day 12), someone from PLDT’s tech support team called me up to check if service has been restored on my end. I told them that the situation’s still the same, so they better act promptly and check again. By afternoon, I was informed on Twitter via DM that I was assigned a new ticket number (again!) because the previous has been closed already. Guess what? They have resolved the issue yet I still don’t have my connection restored. What in hell was that, right? So I got myself a new ticket number and was assigned for tech inspection by next week.
I have my social media eyes on you, PLDT.
Such fun!
Come evening, and I wanted to follow up. As I was about to call them up, I decided to restart my modem (just in case), and after 5 mins, I was surprised that all the lights are working (Power, DSL and Internet!). So it means, I have my internet restored? I switched my connection immediately from the Smart Bro Pocket WiFi to my PLDT DSL modem…and poof! Faster internet, at long last! But I wasn’t fully convinced still, so I wasn’t that delighted. I want to check it our for 24 hours more and see if this is the real deal – because they have this tendency to return the service for an hour and then it’s gone again. So much for reliable service, right?
Now, more than 10 hours have passed and PLDT’s internet connection is doing good so far. Please do not let me down, again. You have put me in so much stress already, I need a f*ckin’ break.
Ping test – PLDT Home DSL (restored on day 12)
All that is left to do after 24 hours is to dispute the 12 days of internet with their billing and collections department. I have no plans of paying for service I was unable to use at all. Shitty service, rather. I just hope and pray that it doesn’t happen again, and if it does, I hope it won’t take longer than 3 days because UGH, this dried me up real good.
PLDT, get your act together.
Shout Your Heart Out! 