SMART has maybe reacted to the strong Congressional statements about disappearing load and decided to give an option to Plug it subscribers but still makes it difficult to achieve as you can only do it while you are using your plug it and not from any computer and you must spend your load to sign up at their website and then after signing in choosing the option to get per minute charging and note this is only a promo and not permanent (yet but I hope they see the light).
The sign up procedure is here.
http://smart.com.ph/bro/Features.htmBut again they make it difficult to keep track of your time on this one minute charging, if not impossible and so you have to keep checking back to your regular load balance to see if it has started to go down. Again its so easy to give the customer the tools right on the screen of the plug it rather than making you go online to find this limited information if you want to save money and not loose your 30 minute load you paid for.
One feature they have added like SUN already has is the ability to also text while online from your plug it sim but again only until the promo is over!!
Some of the information below is in their FAQ after you sign into your account.
* P60 Smart Bro Per Minute Package – 3 hours (equivalent to 180 minutes) valid for 2 days.
* P100 Smart Bro Per Minute Package – 5 hours (equivalent to 300 minutes) valid for 4 days.
Terms and Conditions for the SMART BRO PER-MINUTE PACKAGES
The SMART Bro Per Minute Package, a Service currently offered by Smart Broadband, Inc. (SBI) shall be governed by the following terms and conditions.
1. SMART Bro Per Minute Package is available to all new and existing Smart Bro Prepaid Plug-it subscribers.
2. Registration to Smart Bro Per Minute Package requires the following minimum load balance:
* To register to P100 Per Minute Package, minimum load required is P110.
* To register to P60 Per Minute Package, minimum load required is P70.
3. The validity period of a SMART Bro Per Minute Package starts immediately upon successful registration.
4. To maximize the validity period of a SMART Bro Per Minute Package, subscribers are encouraged to register to one (1) Per Minute Package at a time.
5. Regular charging of P10 per 30 minutes shall apply after the SMART Bro Per Minute Package validity period ends.
6. Should a subscriber choose to register to more than one (1) Per Minute Package with overlapping validity periods, any request for extension of the validity period shall not be considered or entertained.
7. In case of conflict in relation to this offer between these Terms and Conditions and that of the Terms and Conditions of the Smart Bro Prepaid subscription, these Terms and Conditions shall prevail.
By selecting “I Accept”, you agree to the Terms and Conditions stated above.
Note: Validity period starts once “I accept” button is selected. You will receive a confirmation message if registration is successful.
Terms and Conditions for the SMART BRO PER-MINUTE PACKAGES
The SMART Bro Per Minute Package, a Service currently offered by Smart Broadband, Inc. (SBI) shall be governed by the following terms and conditions.
SMART Bro Per Minute Package is available to all new and existing Smart Bro Prepaid Plug-it subscribers.
Registration to Smart Bro Per Minute Package requires the following minimum load balance:
To register to P100 Per Minute Package, minimum load required is P110.
To register to P60 Per Minute Package, minimum load required is P70.
The validity period of a SMART Bro Per Minute Package starts immediately upon successful registration.
To maximize the validity period of a SMART Bro Per Minute Package, subscribers are encouraged to register to one (1) Per Minute Package at a time.
Regular charging of P10 per 30 minutes shall apply after the SMART Bro Per Minute Package validity period ends.
Should a subscriber choose to register to more than one (1) Per Minute Package with overlapping validity periods, any request for extension of the validity period shall not be considered or entertained.
In case of conflict in relation to this offer between these Terms and Conditions and that of the Terms and Conditions of the Smart Bro Prepaid subscription, these Terms and Conditions shall prevail.
By selecting “I Accept”, you agree to the Terms and Conditions stated above.
Note: Validity period starts once “I accept” button is selected. You will receive a confirmation message if registration is successful.
July 5, 2009 by philippinetech 
I wrote last week in my Telecommunications blog that why does SMART use a complicated formula to charge you in 30 minute blocks rather than charging you actual per minutes used. If you sign in at 8:15 for example, you only really get 15 minutes before the 8:30 blocks comes up. They should just charge by the minute and be finished with it, why do they treat customers this way?
I am happy to say in full page ads this week, SMART Bro has annouced that per minute charging is now being offered. But its only for those that register at
http: smart.com.ph/connect
and the promo only lasts for now until October 15, 2009
