Dear Sirs/Mesdames:

As a co-convenor of TXTPower, a consumer advocacy group formed in 2001, to safeguard and assert consumer rights and welfare vis-a-vis the telecommunications companies, we wish to inform the Commission of mounting complaints from subscribers of SmartBro, formerly known as
SmartWifi, the wireless broadband service of Smart Communications.

Since the start of commercial operations of SmartWifi and even after its subsequent repackaging as SmartBro, this service has generally been perceived by its customers as substandard, unreliable and untruthful in its marketing pitches.

Since April this year, when Smart Communications relaunched the service as SmartBro, problems of intermittent or dead connection, lack of automatic refunds for such occurrences, inadequate number and lack of knowhow of the Smart customer service personnel assigned to the service, and the refusal of Smart business center to accept complaints and service queries (except to accept service applications) have continued to rile SmartWifi/SmartBro subscribers.

A certain Mark Baul, who calls himself “a SmartWifi/SmartBro victim” has emailed the Commission as late as yesterday, as per a copy forwarded to us. His problem is the same as those of many others, as the Commission will know by visiting online forums where subscribers pour their anger and frustration over the service:
http://www.pinoyexchange.com/forums/showthread.php?t=210173&page=22

Some have even set up a website dedicated to chronicling the travails of being a SmartWifi/SmartBro victim: http://www.smartwifi.org.ph/

Due to the bad and unreliable service, many SmartWifi/SmartBro subscribers have naturally entertained suggestions of shifting to other broadband internet providers. However, they are prevented from doing so by contracts binding them to SmartWifi/SmartBro for one year.

Needless to say, these subscribers demand government action to protect their consumer rights and welfare. On their behalf, we in TXTPower ask the Commission to:

1.Order Smart Communications to immediately respond to all complaints regarding SmartWifi/SmartBro including that from Mr. Baul;

2.Conduct its own investigation and provide all fair and legal remedies to aggrieved subscribers including rebates, refunds and the rescinding of subscription contracts;

3.During the pendency of (1) and (2), to order Smart Communications to stop accepting new subscriptions to SmartWifi/SmartBro; and

4.Investigate similar complaints of subscribers of SkyDSL, BayantelDSL, PLDT myDSL, Globelines Broadband and other broadband internet services.

We would gladly extend all possible assistance to the Commission for the thorough investigation of this issue and towards the satisfaction of consumer rights and welfare of aggrieved subscribers.

Looking forward to the Commission’s positive response.

Respectfully yours,

Tonyo Cruz
Co-Convenor
TXTPower

IF YOU ARE JOINING THE RALLIES, BE SURE TO COME PREPARED:

“GMA resign” PLACARDS AND POSTERS.

“I’m Sorry ringtones (Tuliro and the GMA vs Susan remixes)

Hello Garci ringtones. (new remixes now available.)

Download instructions and mirror sites of classic Hello Garci ringtones.

Starting today, TXTPower wants all those who want to express themselves and to show their creativity to submit their own remixes of the Hello Garci ringtone. The best ones will be posted on the site.

Email all remixes to ringtones@txtpower.org

We also want you to email us your text jokes at textjokes@txtpower.org.

June 17, 2005

DOWNLOAD AREA Click here for new remixes (Eminem, Masculados, Billy Joel, Vanilla Ice, etc.)

Here are Mp3 and wav files of the classic Hello Garci ring tone:

PinoyTalk Server:
“Hello Garci” ringtone, MP3 format (352 KB)
“Hello Garci” ringtone, WAV format (193 KB)

CPU Server:
“Hello Garci” ringtone, MP3 format (352 KB)
“Hello Garci” ringtone, WAV format (193 KB)
“Hello Garci” ringtone, MP3 format (124.1 KB)
“Hello Garci” ringtone, MP3 format (72.1 KB)

Indymedia server:

“Hello Garci” ringtone, MP3 format (124.1 KB)

“Hello Garci” ringtone, MP3 format (72.1 KB)

Server Mirror 1:
“Hello Garci” ringtone, MP3 format (360KB)

“Hello Garci” ringtone, WAV format (197KB)

Server Mirror 2:
“Hello Garci” ringtone, MP3 format (360KB)
“Hello Garci” ringtone, WAV format (197KB)

Server Mirror 3:
“Hello Garci” ringtone, MP3 format (360KB)
“Hello Garci” ringtone, WAV format (197KB)

To save, right-click on the file and click save as.

Many thanks to PinoyTalk, the Computer Professionals’ Union, QC Indymedia, Yuga of PinoyBlog and Ploghost and Gazette Philippines for hosting the files.

Links to the entire tape are at the PCIJ blog.

How do I put it in my phone?

1. Download your choice by clicking any or all of the files.

2. Transfer the downloaded file/s from the computer to your phone using either an infrared connection or a USB-to-phone cable.

3. For those whose phones have GPRS/WAP access, point your phone’s browser to www.txtpower.org and download it directly to your phone.

4. Once transferred to your phone, the sound file may be used as ringtone for calls or text messages.

Other options

1. Ask for file-transfer from friends who may already have the ringtone. Both your phones should have either infrared or bluetooth connections.

2. Join any of the future anti-GMA rallies and look for the TXTPower banner. Next big date is June 24.

3. Watch out for the TXTPower “Hello Garci” Ringtone Download Team when they go around offices, stores and tiangges, communities and schools!