Globe confirms free unlimited LTE on iPhone 5

Globe Telecom has finally confirmed that all iPhone 5 postpaid subscribers will get access to their LTE network at no additional charge. This means that if you are currently on a MySuperSurf data plan, you can get LTE for free.

In press release sent to us by Globe, they have finally lived up to their commitment of free unlimited LTE to their existing subscribers. They first announced this back in December.

The release indicated this development.

Globe subscribers on iPhone 5 postpaid plans can now experience fourth-generation Long Term Evolution (4G LTE) on their devices by updating to Apple’s latest software, the iOS6.1.

The availability is on the heels of Apple’s announcement that it has enabled the LTE functionality of the iPhone 5 in the Philippines.

With this development, Globe postpaid subscribers on iPhone 5 can enjoy blazing mobile internet speeds of up to 42 Mbps in LTE-covered areas without having to upgrade their plans or pay extra charges.

To enjoy LTE coverage on their iPhone 5, subscribers need to update to iOS 6.1 and use an LTE Nano-SIM.

Globe’s LTE network is heavily concentrated in Makati although it is now also available in select areas in Manila, Pasig City, Quezon City, Taguig City, Muntinlupa, Mandaluyong, Cebu City, and Boracay.

Meanwhile, Smart also sent a press release stating they will offer unlimited LTE to all data plan subscribers until April 30.

The post Globe confirms free unlimited LTE on iPhone 5 appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines, Tech News & Reviews.

Apple to announce iPhone 5 LTE with Smart & Globe?

In last week’s interview with Apple CEO Tim Cook, he revealed that they will be rolling out LTE support to 36 new countries by next week. Among the countries he specifically mentioned is the Philippines.

That could mean both Globe and Smart will be able to offer LTE connectivity to iPhone 5 subscribers of the respective networks. {via}

While Smart and Globe already has initiated LTE roll-out in some parts of Metro Manila, the iPhone 5 didn’t come with any LTE support by the time they launched it back in December.

Both telcos have explained that Apple is yet to approve their application for LTE support for the iPhone 5 and so until such time that Apple said so, they cannot offer LTE data plans with the handset. Once they get the go-signal, a quick tweak and software update will fix all that.

What is not know is whether the LTE connectivity will require additional cost from subscribers. Smart has started charging for LTE handsets like the Xperia V on Plan 1500 and Plan 2000 with 1.5GB and 2.5GB data caps. Meanwhile, Globe promised that they’ll offer unlimited LTE on the iPhone 5 once it is rolled-out but that has yet to be seen.

You can read our review of the iPhone 5 here.

The post Apple to announce iPhone 5 LTE with Smart & Globe? appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines, Tech News & Reviews.

Globe promises unlimited LTE on iPhone 5

In a press briefing this morning, Globe formally announced the availability of the iPhone 5 in their network and also answered the lingering question of LTE support for the device.

According to Globe’s Peter Bithos, they will not differentiate between 3G and LTE when it comes to offering mobile internet service to their subscribers.

This means that if you can get UnliSurf for Php999 a month on your 3G/HSPA+ iPhone 4S, you will also pay the same price when you switch over to the iPhone 5 LTE.

At the moment, the LTE service with Globe is not yet provisioned for the iPhone 5 units that they’ve handed out to subscribers starting today. However, once it is ready, a software update on the iPhone 5 (via OTA) will enable this. Of course, your nano-SIM and account will have to be provisioned as well (not sure if that requires you to switch to an LTE SIM or not).

In any case, this is definitely good news to all iPhone 5 subscribers.

On the other hand, Smart has not made any announcements regarding their LTE service for the iPhone 5. However, if we based it on the current LTE handset plans that Smart has recently announced (see our story on Smart’s Sony Xperia V LTE), then we might expect a 1.5GB data cap on UnliData Plan 1500 or a higher 2.5GB for UnliData Plan 2000.

The post Globe promises unlimited LTE on iPhone 5 appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines, Tech News & Reviews.