CONFIRMED: SMART PLUG 'N TALK USELESS IN DUBAI

I posted an entry on Smart Plug N Talk last three months ago. Follow this link to read the whole article. Because of my doubts that this “thing” will not work in Dubai, I asked the customer service agent of Smart Philippines. Smart assured me that this device works anywhere in the world. Take note, “Anywhere in the world”. Still I was not convinced. I requested my brother to go to Smart Center Office in Cagayan de Oro to inquire if this device will work even if the VOIP’s are being blocked by the ISP. Smart assured him also that it will work globally but they are not sure if it worked in places where VOIP’s are blocked.

I received lot of e-mails from Filipinos in the US, Canada and Hong Kong. They said that Smart Plug N Talk is of great help to them. On the contrary, OFW’s in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) are not happy to know that their newly purchased gadget is useless and is just a waste of money.

These are some of the comments Perfect Square received from OFW’s. Please read. Note: These comments are unedited.

Anonymous April 1, 2009 6:51 PM

Plug N' talk is a waste of money if you are in UAE.

Its Not working in UAE. Prompting Error: 408 Request timeout.

Smart Customer Care responce this way:

Dear Sir/Ma’am,
We understand that you wish to be assisted on your Plug ‘N Talk device. We regret to inform you that Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is being blocked by the Internet Service Provider (ISP) in United Arab Emirates .
However, you may use the device in other location or area where you intend to bring it where VoIP is not blocked.
We hope this has shed light to your concern. Should you need further assistance, please feel free to write us again.

Sincerely,
Remi Remodo
Customer Care


belza21 April 6, 2009 1:22 PM

BEWARE TO ALL OFW IN UAE :

Smart Communications Inc. (SMART), the leading communication service provider in the Philippines has launched its new innovation called Plug ‘N Talk. It assures that Filipinos abroad can now have access to an Internet phone that allows them to call any Philippine landline or mobile number for as low as P6.50 (USD.13) per minute. All they have to do is to plug the device and talk! That’s all.

SMART Plug N’ TALK IS A WASTE OF MONEY :

I JUST PURCHASED THIS PLUG N’ TALK FROM MY VACATION.

ITS NOT WORKING IN UAE. ( ERROR: 408 REQUEST TIMEOUT )

As what Smart had said that this device will work anywhere in the world. But, did Smart take into consideration the risk factor? I mean, will it work in places where VOIP is blocked? Dubai is a very conservative city. Etisalat, the leading communication service provider in the Emirates, is a jealous competitor. It does not allow any intruder. It blocks all forms of VOIP’s like Skype. With this regard, how will SMART Plug ‘N Talk work?

SMART ANSWERED MY PROBLEM THIS WAY:

We understand that you wish to be assisted on your Plug ‘N Talk device. We regret to inform you that Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is being blocked by the Internet Service Provider (ISP) in United Arab Emirates .

However, you may use the device in other location or area where you intend to bring it where VoIP is not blocked.

AFTER ALL “ SA ADDS NILA ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD”

CONCERN LANG PO!

EDWARD BELZA
AUH, UAE