Smart Bro Rocket Review

Smart Bro Rocket is the fastest mobile broadband prepaid service in the Philippines and is running on SMART Communications’ nationwide HSPA+ (Evolved High-Speed Packet Access) network.

Installation
Installation of the companion software was quick and easy. Simply plug the SMART Rocket usb stick in, OS detects software install, let it install and you’re ok. Simple, Quick and Easy.

HSPA+ Coverage
SMART recently updated the HSPA+ List to over 500 locations all around the Philippines: http://smart.com.ph/bro/products/hspaplussites.htm

IF you do not have HSPA+ in your area, your maximum speed will be capped to around 3-4mbps if you have a WCDMA/HSDPA signal. Which isnt bad as even the usual wired connection only has up to 2Mbps. Hopefully, they get more areas in Makati in that list. Paging, Smart! =)

Performance/Speed
The Smart Rocket has advertised speeds of up to 12Mbps if you’re within a reasonable range of a HSPA+ site although i was surprised at how consistent the speed was even without HSPA+ coverage.

UPDATED:
Park Square 1 Makati, 8pm: 2-5Mbps (Max 5.5Mbps)
Makati Buendia Area: 3-4Mbps
Makati Pasong Tamo Area: 3Mbps
Makati Avenue: 3-4Mbps

I will be updating these speed tests as i manage to test the SMART in more areas. In comparison, my SMART Bro Power plug it normally gets around 500Kbps-1Mbps in those areas.

Smart Bro Rocket Specs and features

• With speeds up to 12 mbps—it’s the fastest in mobile prepaid broadband
• Runs under 4G HSPA+
• With over 500 HSPA+ sites nationwide
• Only P3,995 onetime fee

Smart Bro Rocket Minimum System Requirements:

Windows 2000, XP, Vista 7

• CPU: 1 GHZ or higher
• RAM: 1 GB or higher
• Additional Free Disc Space: 100 MB

Mac OS 10.5

• CPU: Intel, PowerPC G5 or G4 (867 Mhz and faster)
• RAM: 512 MB
• Additional Free Disc Space: 100 MB

Mac OS 10.6

• CPU: Mac Computer with an Intel Processor
• RAM: 1 GB
• Additional Free Disc Space: 100 MB

You can buy the Smart Bro Rocket at selected SMART stores at 3995 pesos.