Introduction  

For a nation where citizens spend substantial hours online, a low broadband penetration rate and a wobbly internet infrastructure in many regions are unmissable ironies. It’s not as if the government is not doing anything; in fact, a National Broadband Plan exists to increase broadband access for Filipinos, with fiber optic networks remaining the pinnacle of reliable and stable connectivity across the country’s over 7,000 islands. 

However, when laying cables isn’t possible due to geographical and budgetary constraints, the plan includes a practical alternative in the form of fixed wireless access. With the rise of 5G, wireless broadband devices are gaining traction, especially in regions that lack traditional cabled or DSL infrastructure. 

This situation highlights the genius behind DITO’s Home 5G WoWFi. Designed to provide WiFi in 5G-covered areas, the telco’s range of WiFi modems and tiered plans offer easy internet access. This is good news if you want a reliable internet, but have no way of accessing fiber optics yet. The key, of course, is to ensure that you can maximize the potential of your WiFi device. Read on to learn more about how to optimize the 5G capabilities of your modem with this guide.

How Fiber Optics, Mobile Data, and 5G Wireless Broadband Differ From Each Other 

A general knowledge of the different internet connection types prominent in the Philippines can give you context on why 5G-ready wireless broadband devices are a godsend. 

Mobile Data 

This type is popular among smartphone users who are constantly on the move due to it being easier to access and more secure than connecting to WiFi. They are typically more affordable than broadband subscriptions as well. Mobile data is gaining popularity with the rise of 5G networks. With industry players like DITO strengthening their infrastructure, subscribers can enjoy mobile connectivity at reasonable prices and impressive speeds. 

For users who rely on cabled internet, mobile data is often the backup connection during downtimes or outages. It’s also a popular choice for households with a limited budget. However, mobile data falls short in terms of speed and stability, which brings us to the more preferred option: fiber optic networks.

Fiber Optic Broadband 

Often, hearing broadband will bring forth images of copper lines and fiber optic cables. The term is usually associated with a ‘wired’ type of internet connection, with fiber optics being the preferred or aspired type for many Filipino households for its inherent stability, speed, and bandwidth. Fiber optics is perfect if you are into gaming, streaming media, or communicating virtually all the time. The increasing number of Filipinos who are always online also means the number who want a fiber optic connection rises, too.  

However, as mentioned earlier, the challenge of this connection lies in its deployment — if you are located in a region where the infrastructure does not yet exist or is slow to develop, you will need to wait. Fortunately, you don’t have to rely solely on mobile data, thanks to the middle ground that is fixed wireless access (FWA) or wireless broadband.

Wireless Broadband 

This type of internet connection allows you to enjoy broadband connectivity without the need for lines and cables. In the case of 5G broadband like DITO’s Home WoWFi, you simply plug the modem into a power source and activate it by registering to the network. The 5G capability is possible because DITO’s cell sites are configured so users can access the mid-band spectrum. In short, when you use a WoWFi kit, you enjoy both the bandwidth of a broadband connection and the speed of 5G technology, without the cables. 

Opting for 5G? Learn How To Maximize the Technology With DITO’s Home WoWFi  

Sold on using DITO’s 5G Home WoWFi to enhance or backup your internet connection? You are on the right track to getting an affordable and practical connectivity upgrade! The first step to ensure that you can access 5G is to check if your location is within DITO’s network coverage area. Once that’s confirmed, then you can proceed to follow these tips so you can optimize your WoWFi kit:

Choose a Kit Suitable for Your Needs 

The thing with DITO Home WoWFi modems is that they come in various tiers to suit your purposes and requirements. The options for prepaid kits include the WoWFi Pro 365, WoWFi Lite, WoWFi Pro, and WoWFi Ultra, while the postpaid kit available is the WoWFi Optima. 

To give you an idea of what to expect, we list down some specifications of each modem and relate them to actual user needs:

• WoWFi Pro 365. This modem allows unlimited data access for 12 months, which you can acquire with a one-time purchase price. This is a good deal if you are new to using a DITO broadband kit, but assured of its 5G network speed and low latency through mobile data plans. This prepaid plan enables you to access up to 100 Mbps speeds. 
• WoWFi Lite. New users who want to test DITO 5G’s capabilities first will find the Lite modem a sweet deal. The plan costs less than ₱1,000 and offers internet speeds of up to 50 Mbps, which are just enough to assess if the modem is suitable for you.
• WoWFi Pro. The Pro kit is similar to the Pro 365 in speed (up to 100 Mbps), but with normal pricing and flexible load options. It also enables both 5G and 4G data access, which means you can bring it to an area where DITO has 4G coverage and still use it as your main or backup connection. 
• WoWFi Ultra. The highest prepaid WoWFi tier, the Ultra kit, offers up to 500 Mbps speeds and enables unlimited 5G data access for the first 30 days of use. It’s the perfect modem for enhancing your wireless broadband setup.
• WoWFi Ultima. This lone postpaid option enables you to access internet speeds of up to 500 Mbps and comes with bonus subscriptions to Prime Video and Blast TV. It’s perfect if you need a constant internet connection for streaming, gaming, and cloud-based tasks.

Place Your Modem in a Central Location 

We did say that you need to be in a location within DITO’s network coverage area, but there’s more to the 5G internet availability you should take into account. You also need to position your modem inside your home so it receives and transmits data easily. That means placing it in a central, visible location inside your house. 

For instance, if you connect to the internet in the living room, then place the modem there. Or if you have a multiple-story house and your access is on the ground floor, place the modem on a high shelf so users from the upper floors can still connect to the network. 

Subscribe to Appropriate WoWFi Plans  

Each 5G Home WoWFi kit comes with its respective internet plans for when you consume the initial data access inclusion. It will be efficient to check the promotions available for your chosen modem before purchasing to ensure you have all the data access you need. Here’s a quick reference guide:

Choosing the WoWFi Optima means you will pay a monthly bill for unlimited data access.

Remove Interference and Reduce Users  

You can’t control the outdoor surroundings to reduce interference between your modem and DITO’s network towers, but you can control those inside and within the vicinity of your home. Once you place the WiFi device on a high shelf at your residence’s central location, rearrange the surrounding furniture and assets that might block the frequency signals. This step is essential so you can maximize the 5G technology’s impressive data transmission speeds.

Another step to take is to change the password of your WiFi network via the DITO app and keep the credentials exclusive to household members. This will ensure that the bandwidth is maximized to cater to the users who matter. Changing your WiFi password will also prevent techy people in your neighborhood from hacking into your network to freeload. 

Upgrade Your DITO Home WoWFi Modem  

Depending on how you use the internet, your 5G-enabled home WiFi device may need to be upgraded to accommodate your current online needs. Quick fixes include something as simple as buying a cable to connect your device (like laptops and desktops) to the modem, so you maximize the bandwidth and will be closer to the router. Upgrading can also involve adding external devices to enhance connectivity within your home, such as a signal repeater or booster. 

Sometimes, you may also need to switch to a faster modem completely. If you’ve purchased a WoWFi Lite before, you may find it necessary to upgrade to a new WoWFi kit in the future when your needs expand or your users increase.

Conclusion  

Inaccessible fiber-optic infrastructure or a patchy mobile data connection are hurdles to using fast, stable, and reliable internet. Fortunately, 5G-capable wireless broadband devices, like DITO’s Home WoWFi kits, are bridging the gap created by these obstacles. That is, provided you are in a location within the telco’s coverage and you follow our tips to optimize your modem. Finally made your choice? Get your WoWFi kit from the eShop today!