For almost a month now, my PLDT DSL has been slow and intermittent.  I subscribed for the 384kbps package (Plan 990) but I get only about 100 to 200 kbps download speeds using PC Pitstop.  SpeedTest.Net, on the other hand, shows 300 to 400 kbps download speed.

At first glance, you may say that the Speedtest.Net is showing normal speed as advertised.  However, you have to know that with SpeedTest.Net, you are testing your connection from your local area to a PLDT network server somewhere in Makati.

This is misleading.  PLDT representatives (and other ISP reps)  *might* tell you that surfing domestic sites (sites hosted on Philippine servers) should be fine and surfing international sites is expected to be less than the advertised DSL speed since these sites are geographically farther.  This is hogwash.  About 98% of web sites are hosted internationally (mostly in the United States).  OK, 98% is just a guess but you get the point – there just aren’t that many sites hosted in the Philippines.  So, when you subscribe for an Internet connection, you are planning to visit international sites! Read more »