Globe DUO Review
Friday, June 26, 2009 ADVERTISEMENTS
Captain's Log Stardate -314482.29
I have used 3 wireless landlines for the past several months. A few days with a Bayan Wireless Landline (BWL), a year with PLDT Landline Plus Prepaid, and more than a month with Globe DUO. Of the three, PLDT LL+ Prepaid has the best quality while Bayan Wireless Landline has the worst. While Globe DUO is the best when it comes to overall value.
One SIM, Two Numbers
This is the flagship of the Globe DUO service. Bayan Wireless Landline (BWL) requires you to purchase a new handset since BWL operates on a CDMA network. PLDT Landline Plus, though operates on the widely popular GSM network, also requires a separate handset. With Globe DUO, you don't need a new SIM or a new phone, just add P399 on your monthly bill and you can start calling local landline numbers for as long as you like.
Just send a few SMS commands to Globe DUO's access number and you will be assigned a second number. This new number will be your "wireless landline". Currently, Globe DUO is available in Metro Manila and Cebu so if you're from Metro Manila, the number you'll receive will have an area code of 2.
Unlimited Calls
Once registered to the DUO service, your SIM can now accept calls via its mobile number (0917-xxxxxxx) and its DUO number (02-xxxxxxx). For example, I am at home using my PLDT landline and I want to call a friend subscribed to DUO, instead of calling his Globe mobile number, I will call his DUO number. Since the DUO number has an area code similar to my PLDT landline, my call will be treated as a local call and I will not be charged for NDD.
Same goes if I'm on the field and would like to call my parents at home on their landline phone. Normally, Globe charges at least P7.50 per minute on calls to landline. But since I'm subscribed to Globe DUO, all of my calls within Metro Manila landlines will be free.
Free calls will only apply if both parties are located within Metro Manila. If I do make a call to a landline in Metro Manila while I'm at Mindanao, normal NDD/mobile rates will apply.
Just like the postpaid version of Bayan Wireless Landline, Globe DUO calls have no time limit. The call will last as long as you want or as long as your battery lasts. PLDT's Landline Plus cuts all incoming calls every 10 minutes which is really annoying.
My record with DUO is 2 hours 13 minutes. :P
Cheap!
Of all the postpaid wireless landline products, Globe DUO for Postpaid is the cheapest assuming you also maintain a mobile cellular number.
- Globe DUO - add P399 on top of current G-Plan bill
- Bayan Wireless Landline - P499 per month with unlimited local calls and BWL-to-BWL texts
- PLDT Landline Plus - P600 per month with 600 outgoing local minutes and 120 SMS
- SunTel Wireless Landline - P499 per month with unlimited local calls
Well for prepaid... umm... :P
Landline-like Quality
From the three wireless landline services I've used, Globe DUO comes in second to PLDT as having the best quality. PLDT Wireless Landline audio quality is almost comparable to a real landline call.
Bayan Wireless Landline sounds like the person you're talking to is under Sadako's well. It sucks really. I don't know if its because they're on a CDMA network or because of the low quality of handsets they're providing. ZTE anyone?
There are also more dropped calls compared to PLDT Landline Plus and Bayan Wireless Landline whenever I call from my home. Globe signal has been a problem in our area ever since, so that may explain the drop calls I encountered. Haven't experienced dropped calls outside our area though.
I've also encounterd "Network busy" errors but they occassionally occur during 5pm - 7pm
Better than (most) Dual SIM phones
Sun Cellular has also been offering a bundled wireless landline service with their regular postpaid subscription. With SunTel, you will be given a myPhone Dual SIM handset, a regular mobile postpaid SIM and a wireless landline SIM.
The problem with Dual SIM mobile phones is that whenever SIM1 is active in calls, SIM2 cannot receive calls or even SMS. I've tried this with several cheap Dual SIM phones from China and even the local Dual SIM myPhone. So if you're talking to someone using your regular Sun postpaid line, you cannot accept incoming calls on your SunTel wireless landline.
Call waiting will only work on whichever active SIM slot you're using.
Since Globe DUO uses the same SIM as your regular postpaid line, call waiting will work. Better than using Dual SIM phones right? RIGHT!
Globe DUO Prepaid Suggestions
A few weeks ago, Globe Telecom launched the prepaid version of DUO. Compared to its postpaid counterpart, the prepaid version IS expensive. The 5 day subscription is P125 while the 14 day will cost you a whopping P350. That's more than P700 additional on your prepaid credits compared to P399 per month on postpaid.
I am a prepaid subscriber of PLDT's wireless landline and I pay P300 every month for 150 minutes worth of outgoing calls and unlimited number of incoming calls (incoming calls limited to 10 minutes per call). Compared to what I'm paying right now, Globe DUO IS EXPENSIVE.
Though I understand that the P700+ per month of DUO has unlimited outgoing calls compared to the 150 free outgoing minutes of PLDT LL+, Globe should someday come up with a new prepaid plan similar to PLDT. How about a DUO Prepaid plan of P300 with 250 minutes of outgoing calls and unlimited number of incoming calls for 30 days? Then if the free minutes are consumed, regular outgoing rates should apply or maybe P1/call like Bayan Wireless Landline Prepaid.
All prepaid SIMs should also be able to register for DUO. As of today, DUO prepaid can only be availed if you buy a new Globe DUO-ready SIM pack. And since its a new SIM pack, say goodbye to your precious mobile number. My Globe prepaid SIM will be turning 10 years old this December, and I'm not willing to let it go just to subscribe to DUO. I'd rather use another handset with PLDT LL+
But if ever Globe decides to allow DUO registration for old prepaid subscribers, all registrations should be done within the Globe Business Centers or satellite offices. And to prevent clogging the network, all registrations should have a fee of P500 or up.
Verdict?
Globe is also offering a new G-Flex 250 plan, perfect to those who need a cheap wireless landline service. Just add P399 on top of the monthly consumable P250. P649 per month for unlimited landline calls + a consumable of 250 for mobile calls and text is a good deal.
Globe DUO is the best concept and service a local telco has introduced. Just imagine carrying only 1 handset for mobile and landline calls. Postpaid rate is also the cheapest on the market compared to Bayan Wireless, SunTel and PLDT LL+.
So if you're a Globe subscriber, get your DUO number now. If not, subscribed to any G-Plan and get your wireless landline for only P399 per month.
Text DUO to 8888 for more information.
Rating on a scale of 10, with 10 being the highest:
Voice Quality: 9.3
Network Reliability: 8.1
Value for Money: 9.8 (postpaid) / 4.0 (prepaid) 8.9 (prepaid)
UPDATE: DUO is now available to ALL Prepaid subscribers with the following packages:
P25 = 1 day (available only in Cebu)
P125 = 5 days
P350 = 14 days
P450 = 30 days
To register, just text DUO MM 125, DUO MM 350, or DUO MM 450 for NCR subscribers and DUO CEB 25, DUO CEB 125, DUO CEB 350, DUO CEB 450 for Cebu subscribers.
DUO for prepaid is available to ALL prepaid subscribers, Load Allowance Plan, and Load Tipid Subscribers.
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Disclosure: Blog owner is a forum administrator of myGlobe, a website of Globe Telecom.
*Computer end log* Labels: mobile, reviews
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THERE ARE 13 COMMENT(S) ON THIS POST:
G-Flex 250 is only an extension plan. It cannot be your principal/primary GPlan, FYI! http://site.globe.com.ph/web/guest/285?sid=2ogel84j0l32r1245952497658
@Gendy Tartakovsky - as i've said, Plan 250 is a NEW stand-alone plan available to new subscribers :)
Is Duo unlimited with other Globe numbers?
@jepjep - DUO to DUO is unlimited, so the other Globe party should also be subscribed to DUO for you to enjoy unlimited calls. May P25/day na subscription ngayon kaya mag DUO na :)
another excellent service from Globe. now i can call my family, friends and special someone nonstop. astig ang service na ito ng Globe!
Sayang di pa sia available sa Davao....
im a prepaid subscriber and tried the one day promo for Php25 this morning. i was able to use the outgoing call (globe duo to local landline), but the incoming call feature from a LANDLINE was not working. the voice prompt said NOT IN SERVICE. i called 211 and reported the problem, and was asked to monitor within 24hrs.
after 5 hours, i was able to receive an incoming call from a landline. but when i tried using the outgoing feature (to another landline number), ITS NO LONGER WORKING. seems like we cannot use BOTH incoming and outgoing features at the same time!! i don't think this should be advertised as UNLIMITED, as obviously this is NOT.
yap i agree. The globe duo is having problems right now since I cannot connect to any landline even if the signal is strong. I am really disappointed since I subscribed to this service for a month and the amount I paid which is P450 is going nowhere. I was only able to use it for 3 days.
Just subscribed August 30, 2009. Should have reduced my plan to Plan 500 or Gtext! Just realized I call mostly landlines. The important part is friends and family can call me now for free if there is an enmergency.
I get to call PLDT and Globelines with no problem at all. I highly recommend this. PROBLEM: My phone gets drained pretty fast now due to the time I spend chatting on it.
subs to globe duo prepaid oct 11 5pm; ad is a hoax sinz until now can't call pldt landlines. called cust srvc 3times already @ErnestofGlobe
GLOBE DUO: subs 4 1month w/o qualms.cust rep said wait 4 3-5 days b4 srvcd, for now use w bayantel. globe doesn't deliver tsk @ErnestofGlobe
My 1mo Globe Duo plan is not working again; worked for only 1.5 days in the past 6 days. after 5 complaints, think i'm done. i'm giving up.
Globe Duo is a great, innovative idea, but an unreliable service. 450 went to nothing, with lost transactions and other economic costs. sad.
Prior to my subscription to SUPER DUO, I was using their other programs like 232 235 to save on calls. These were saved into my phonebook, and not knowingly used these even though I activated the SUPER DUO. NOW globe is charging me for these calls despite HAVING BEEN GUARANTEED UNLIMITED GLOBE TO GLOBE CALLS. Are these not globe calls??? On top of that, there wasn’t any notification or advise made by globe that these would be charged separately. Nothing was stated in their terms and conditions the specific dialing or that super duo is not in conjunction with other promos. So now, INSTEAD OF SAVING MONEY, IM PAYING DOUBLE!
@k - 232 and 235 calls will be charged the normal promo rate as these are other promos as stated on the DUO/Super DUO information page.
Globe may have not included everything on the Terms and Conditions on the text you received, but the information you needed has always been posted on the website and even printed on flyers.
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