Converge Internet FiberX in Cavite | A must-read review! Updated

Please read till the end as I update this blog post from time to time to share our overall experience with Converge ICT.

Geez, I’ve been thinking about titling this post for almost an hour. Cavite version is just weird but I wanted to specify this review for those who live in my area since it may vary per location(I guess). So this is the current Internet service hype in the Philippines — Converge ICT Solutions. Almost everyone is looking forward to having this service provider (including me) to become available in their areas. Finally, I got it. 

Our service got connected on Maundy Thursday and it’s just almost about a month now that’s why I’ll be providing a review about the Converge FiberX plan that I subscribed to.

Here you’ll find out the application process and my current feedback about the service and all you need to know prior to subscribing. I’ll have this updated from time to time to make sure that you get the right information when deciding to switch. Don’t forget to write your own experience and comments later on. ?

Converge Available Plans

All their plans are unlimited and range from 1500 PHP to 7000 PHP. To show you here’s a table for their plans

Perks for having the highest plan (Xtreme 7000)  is that you get their FiberX Share Linksys EA7500(router) for free. It’s worth around 9000 PHP and uses MU-MIMO technology. It means the router can distribute data speed simultaneously. Perfect for multiple heavy internet users.

Check out my latest review: Tenda AC11 MU-MIMO Gigabit Wi-Fi Router

Applying for Converge FiberX Plan

Converge’s application process is not so similar to the regular processes for internet service applications. I have tried all internet service provider before since my mom loves moving places, so I can say that this application with Converge is quite different.

To explain you the process here are the steps I’ve taken to apply for Converge FiberX 1500:

1. I contacted a sales rep from Facebook who posted that our location (Barangay Habay II, Bacoor, Cavite) is now serviceable ( I messaged him just a few minutes from the time he posted the availability).
2. The guy went to our house with an application form and asked for an ID and proof of billing. He advised me to check my email from time to time since the approval will be sent via email. Make sure you have one when applying for Converge hehehe.
3. He took a photo of our house, it’s required according to him. Maybe for them to easily locate the place. (So don’t panic when they take a picture of your house).
4. A few days later, I got an email with account details, how to make a payment and the validity of the application. It says there that I have to make the initial deposit of 1500 through their available payment channels within 7 days or else the application won’t be valid anymore.
5. I made a payment using Metrobank Online on the same day I got the email. Converge doesn’t seem to have a better tracking or customer account management systems yet. They just ask the customer to fill out an online form to confirm the payment and upload a payment confirmation. Screenshot or Photo of a receipt.
6. The next day after making the payment, Converge’s installation team came despite being a holiday. Yes, that was on Maundy Thursday, April 28, 2019.
7. They love taking photos. They asked me to stand beside the router and they’ll take a picture of me and the router. (Mandated as well). Maybe to avoid scams or usage of someone else’s identity.
8. After installation, it just took less than an hour to be activated. Important note from the installer, do not change the WiFi password until we get a bill and never reset the modem. I’m not certain why, but I think the installer mentioned a “dedicated IP” for the modem.

Their Modem/Router

I guess it’s not usual to discuss the modem on an ISP review but I’ll talk about it anyway. The thing is that the modem made me feel unsatisfied.

They gave us a single band 2.4 GHz ZTE F660 modem. My aunt had a dual-band router from Converge, the one that looks like a PLDT Fiber modem the 4 antennas. I asked the installer if they can use a router like my aunt’s since it doesn’t have an extra charge. But he told me it’s out of stock.

Well, I asked it because I was eavesdropping on them. I overheard that our router is the last 2.4Ghz router and the next installation they’ll conduct will have the bigger router. Hate that guy ?.
Anyway, this modem provided by Converge is not better than Globe’s Aztech modem. Just a quick comparison of the two modems:

Check out my latest review: Tenda AC11 MU-MIMO Gigabit Wi-Fi Router

Converge and Globe’s Modem little comparison

Application and Installation Fees

I’m not sure if fees may vary per location but here’s what I found out on my application. As mentioned in the first part I paid 1500 initial deposit. It’s an advance payment, that is usually the case for all internet service providers.

Deposits are used when you unsubscribe. Meaning even you’ve paid 1500, on your first bill you will get a prorated amount from the installation date up to the end of the billing cycle plus one monthly fee. 

According to the sales rep, the billing cycle for every subscriber is the same and that is every end of the month. I haven’t got my bill yet but what I am expecting to pay is the amount from April 19-30 plus the payment for May which is for May 1 to 30.

Services are always paid in advance that’s why May should be paid on my first bill. I will let you know once I got my first bill, as per the rep there are delays in sending bills but the service shall not be disconnected. 

For the installation fee, there’s no upfront fee. The modem cost is 2500 which will be on staggered payment for 24 months.

For other ISP, they only have the modem cost be divided into 3-6 months.

Converge ICT Internet Speed Review

Speed test and Consistency?

I think this is the one that you’ve been waiting for to read. How’s Converge’s internet speed and reliability.
For all ISP in the Philippines, the minimum speed should be at least 30% and the service reliability should be at least at 80%.

You can find that on your service agreement with any service provider. 

It’s too early to tell the reliability of the provider because we just had this for a month. But I am impressed because their download and upload speed are incredible. But there are still some downsides. I guess there’s just really no perfect service in the world.

They provide 25 Mbps for download and almost 25 Mbps for upload. You won’t get that on a residential plan from other internet providers.

(Click the images to check the speedtest I did using different providers)

For Globe, based on experience, the upload speed is just around 10% of your plan’s speed while the download is almost 90%.

While PLDT Fibr, you get about 150% upload speed and more than 90% for download speed based on your plans’ speed.
However, recently we’ve been encountering intermittent connection where the overall speed drops, yet the connection is still working it’s just that the speed drops badly.

Few things to know about their Internet Speed

On the screenshot above you’ll see some low results. So far my solution is to turn off the modem for a few minutes, and everything goes back to normal.

When the installer was here trying to connect the lines, I asked them about the known issue since I’ve seen some bad feedback on Facebook about the connection. According to him, it happens since the area just got activated and could really give some issues. 

I guess it’s understandable I don’t want to miss my opportunity when Converge takes over the place that’s why despite this known issue I still opted to get a plan. Fiber connections have limited slots only that’s why I am the first one in our place to get this connection.

Upgrading your Converge FiberX plan

According to the sales rep when he was still here, Converge offers an optional speed upgrade every 3 months. I have not seen any information about that on their website or anywhere else but he said that after 3 months I can get an additional 10 Mbps for 300 PHP/a month on top of my monthly service fee.

But I also asked him about an absolute upgrade from FiberX 1500 to FberX 2500, he said it is a can-do after 3 months as well. That’s a good thing if possible because, for other ISP, upgrades can be done only after 6 months.

My verdict with this Internet Service Provider

For me, so far, I am quite good at it. I still have my Globe Broadband connected just in case I get some issues with Converge ICT, I would have a backup connection. 

I think the whole process and their service is highly tolerable and understandable because they’re quite new. Even Converge has been there for years they are still considered as fresh compared to significant service providers like PLDT and Globe. I’ll make sure to update this review from time to time.

They don’t seem to have an office nearby that’s why most likely, your go-to for an application would be the sales reps.

At this point, I’ll try to fix some of their misses

I ordered an MU-MIMO router and some cables to improve internet distribution at home. As mentioned in this review, the connection is not good when downstairs.

At the same time, I wanted a router that can be configured for prioritization which can’t be done on the ZTE router of Converge. I will do a review on the router as well soon. I didn’t see that I was ordering it on Lazada from Overseas because that is the cheapest. Usually, I always filter sellers from the Philippines because it takes time to get an order from overseas but I can no longer cancel it.

Sad update 05/13/2019: I’m quite disappointed with Converge ICT yesterday

And today! It’ mother’s day yesterday right? All we just wanted to do is eat and have some fun by singing karaoke songs from YouTube. Sadly, Converge didn’t allow us to do that.

I’ve done all I can to make things work but it just keeps on buffering. The internet connection of Converge is not that reliable. I am thankful that I haven’t cut my slow-motion internet with Globe yet. Coz’ apparently, Converge is going on and off. It sucks!

I checked their Facebook Page and it is raining with negative feedback on the comment section of each post they make. I assume that they have a network outage or whatever at this point that is why I tried to chat them and see how it will go. According to Converge ICT’s Facebook page, they reply instantly.

They are responsive because it is a never-ending chatbot. When you reach the end of their chatbot it will ask you again how they can help. Which affects their responsiveness on Facebook.

Let’s give them a chance.

Since I contacted them I also tried to email, send SMS and leave a number on their click-to-call link to see if this could get fixed. Hopefully, it will.

Update 05/15/19

Finally got our connection is working. With the help of our new router our experience is now way way better!

I wanted to burst right now!

Update as of 08/05/2019

GRABE I COULDN’T TAKE IT ANYMORE!!!

For me, a few hours of no internet is worst. Now it’s even worse than ever… We had no internet for more than 24 hours.

And this happens every single freaking month!

I can’t believe that I am paying earlier than the due date and yet they have the guts to cut my internet EVERY MONTH!!! In the past month, I didn’t update this post because the internet goes back after 2 PM usually. Although I have to contact all means of support before it gets fixed.

Well, honestly I don’t know if it’s because of their support since they never respond. AS IN NEVER!!!

I just send them tons of emails and chat tickets because apparently you’ll NEVER get someone over the fb chat. No one answers their phone either.

Today I just did the same thing because I have to send my client an invoice to get paid for my job and poof no internet connection after 26 hours!!!

I went over their facebook page and a lot of people say they just deleted all negative comments and feedback.

I truly believe them because of every month, whenever we get some issues. We also check their FB page and that same comment about deleting comments is always mentioned.

To my outrage, I encourage people to drop their comments here until Facebook finds my comment to be spammy. I’m not sure if people will be able to see that bombarding comments I placed but hopefully, they can.

To those who will read this blog post. Just opt-in if you think you can stand no internet without someone to ask for help. If you can’t stand that I advise not to subscribe because it’s freaking me out right now for becoming a subscriber of Converge.

Even they put back our internet right now I am still wishing that I never switched to this carrier. Until now I’m paying the amount they send us without receiving a bill at all just a text from them of the amount to pay.

Kala ko nakamura ako sa Converge FiberX, mapapamura lang pala ako. 10/06/19

GRABE TAGALUGIN NA NATIN TO!

I mean slight Tagalog lang. Last month I didn’t update this post and just made a quick rant on FB about our monthly no internet issue! YES BES BUWAN BUWAN KAMING WALANG INTERNET.

Though it only lasts for 1-3 days. Still very inconvenient especially that this happens EVERY MONTH SINCE WE’VE SWITCHED TO CONVERGE ICT.

And I’m sick and tired of contacting them because no one answers at all. NO ONE! Well good for my mom who works in Pasay, she has a landline to call them.

Last month she called Converge when she was at work. It took hours before she got a consultant, she’d asked if we have paid already. As if she doesn’t have capabilities to check whether we’ve paid or not.

I pay Converge 10 days before the due date or as soon as I get their text message. I haven’t able to see a bill from them ever just a text message of how much to pay. How convenient for them!

Anyway, I don’t think they ever thought about the importance of proper billing because they don’t even know what proper service is.

Going back to the call my mom made. They are advising my mom to troubleshoot as usual. My mom is really furious at that time. She nagged about this issue of not having internet every month and that her daughter(that’s me) is an IT with tech support background and before she even called I’ve done so many troubleshooting steps already.

I’ve heard her shouting at the rep already because we were having a call via messenger at that time.

And you know what’s the response of the rep? “THERE’S AN ONGOING ISSUE IN YOUR AREA”.

Very helpful isn’t. So there’s an ongoing issue every month.

Today October 6, 2019

We have the internet, but for the past 3 days, it goes on and off. Like every 10 minutes, the internet will be gone and be back after 2 minutes.

No one even dares to play Mobile Legends right now. Kase MALAG PUCHA NAMAN.

And for the past 6 months of having connectivity issues with Converge ICT here in Cavite… I noticed something!

These issues always happen during the first week of the month and also when I am about to receive the text message for the amount to pay.

Most of the time I get the text message for paying the bill after having internet issues. But I don’t know why I have to go through a monthly issue when I pay them as I receive it. As a matter of fact, our bill dues every 21st but they send the SMS amount to pay every first week of the month.

We always pay them as I get the text because they accept payments through MetroBank which is my main bank. I simply go to the app to process the payment but still, issues are going on every month. I have to update this post because I think everyone deserves to know how we suffered by switching to Converge ICT.

A lot of the comments on their Facebook about the issues and bad comments were removed by Converge. I don’t know how they can still have the guts to promote when almost everyone is having hatred for them.

I actually shared my negative feedback on some FB groups and some claim that they don’t experience this kind of issue. Some are legit some are just salespeople of Converge.

If they don’t experience this, why do we have to experience it despite early payments? What could be the reason for having monthly issues?

We were the first ones in this village to have Converge. Yet we’re the ones who get to experience the worst side of Converge. It makes me sad and full of regrets.

Two weeks later after the last update, Converge ICT is still the worst!

I sent them an email a few days ago, asking to check what has to be done with their service and ask if maybe they can just cut it. Of course, I told them that I am not willing to pay for termination fees because they don’t even meet the 80% guaranteed reliability.

You see it is more than half a month now that we’re encountering issues it is less than 50% reliability already. We can’t even watch, play or work properly because of the intermittent connection.

And all they have to say is that they had issues in the area. It’s much worse than being hit by the typhoon Ondoy! I even told them that I’ll do my best to share this worst experience on my blog to tell everyone how worst they are.

Converge is the real game-changer

They changed the way how I looked at other ISP in the Philippines. We thought we’re not getting enough from other ISP, but then Converge showed up. Thinking it was the best but it is the other way around. It is the worst ever much worse than any other ISP on the planet.

If you think I was paid to make things up. Sorry, I am not. This blog is purposely for sharing my PERSONAL EXPERIENCE. I thought when I was reading reviews before about Converge, they must be paid by competitors because that was the comment I saw from the reviews. But here trust me it is the worst ever. Let me share my email with them to show that I did contact them and see their response for yourself. It has my account number para LEGIT! Kaloka talaga!

They haven’t responded since then… I’ll try to find even my old emails if you need further proof that this issue we encounter happens all the time… One thing I can say now. DO NOT SWITCH WITH CONVERGE. NOT WORTH IT!

October 28, 2019, finally okay na ulit. (Bati na Kami?)

I’m happy that we don’t encounter issues now. But November is coming… I’m really preparing my self for another disappointment again since for 6 months we’ve been encountering issues EVERY MONTH.

They never adjust the bill but this month they haven’t sent me an amount to pay.

SO far I haven’t made a payment for this month since they haven’t billed me. I’m thinking maybe they did not send a bill because of the almost one month issue we’ve encountered. Usually, I pay every 10th of the month whenever they send us a text message of our payable and our due is 21st.

Please share this post and follow us because I’ll be updating this from time to time.

Converge Review in Cavite Update 12/04/19

I’m quite happy that since last month, it went okay now. Although, 1 month of being okay doesn’t make me a 100% satisfied customer. I am still hoping for the best. I have not received a bill SMS for two months and I thought they were adjusting the bills due to all inconveniences I had with them which are supposed to be in their records because of my so many attempts to get in touch with them.

PERO PINAASA AKO NG CONVERGE. No bill adjustment happened and now they are telling me that I have an overdue bill amounting to 3250. EDI WOW! Due to all that happened in October, I had a major loss of income and I had to borrow money from my mom to survive. Technically I’m not prepared to pay a one big blow of 3250, but I have no choice anyway but to pay.

This update is to commend our connection but the experience I have with Converge ICT is still not pleasing at all.

Happy New Year Update – Converge ICT 2020!

Yay! Finally new update about our Converge FiberX plan.

I’d like to greet everyone a happy new year. I’m so happy that since my last update our connection isn’t failing anymore.

Still hoping for it to be consistent til the end of time. Although after several attempts of requesting bills I still haven’t got any legit bill anywhere. Just SMS for he amount to pay.

I find bills very important because it’s a record of your payments, payables, duration of subscription and it can be used as proof of residency.

I’m not sure why can’t they provide that. Not sure tho if everyone is having the same issue with bills. I hope not but I wish they can do this soon.

June 2020 update with our Converge FiberX Experience

So it’s been a while since the last update but I want to keep you all posted.

So far our internet is working well most of the time but for some reasons after we’ve upgraded our speed, there were some issues that Converge still can’t explain. I just accepted it as it is since they couldn’t fix it and I couldn’t either.

The issue is that there are apps that we couldn’t easily access when using our WiFi connection. We use 2 routers and we’ve disabled the WiFi signal of our converge modem so we can smoothly use our Tenda router. My first instinct was to use again their wifi router but it didn’t fix the issue so it means that my Tenda router doesn’t have an issue. 
I called their customer service before and tried so many troubleshooting steps, they don’t usually require resetting of router but we were advised to do so. Yet nothing happens. 

A freaking issue that is still unresolved

I noticed that the issue occurs on apps that are related to money like online banking apps. It happens on all our mobile devices. But not on PCs. It usually says no internet connection and my only fix to it is to connect my phone to VPN or try reconnecting on the app for ten thousand times. It’s bothering because my sister accepts bill payments and she couldn’t connect on the app she’s using because of it. My mom and I also do a few transactions online and it’s a hassle not to be able to connect to the apps we need. I’m not 100% certain if the issue is caused by Converge ICT but I’m very sure that it has started since the upgrade happened.

Our recent gaming experience with Converge

In regards to gaming with Converge, it’s getting really well. I am being able to play while doing live streams. There are cases that I’m getting an excessive lag but I noticed that it only happens when I have a laggy teammate. I play Mobile Legends with my viewers and they usually claim that they tend to be laggy whenever I’m hosting the party. Still not sure if this has something to do with Converge but I just want to share so you’d know. I don’t encounter gaming issues when in LAN.

BTW please follow our Facebook page and join our gaming live streams to earn a top fan badge. I’d do giveaways to top fans. Link to the page fb.gg/mielyonline I’m pretty sure you’ll find it on the right sidebar if you’re on a desktop.
If you know the solutions to my problems or if you’re using Converge or… or… or… or you just want to share something just leave a comment.

Because a lot of you were asking for update.. here’s one 08/24/2020

Good news, so far our internet connection is better now. YES finally it was good however, my issues with them for billing have not been resolved until now. I still NEVER got a bill copy after requesting it a thousand times via phone and email. I asked them to upgrade our speed limit since we may need it higher speed soon, but after requesting it with all the requirements they asked nothing happened. They emailed me again asking for another requirement and they said the upgrade will be applied soon but it never happened. I think nothings gonna happen.

So again the internet connection is finally OKAY but their service is hopeless. If you want a stress giver service provider then Converge is a perfect option because they’ll never stop from stressing you out. LOL.

I guess this would be my last update for Converge ICT (RIP FiberX) ☠ 09/19/2020

Well, I guess I have to say goodbye with Converge ICT Solutions since their solution isn’t solving anything for me. I tried to do what I can to make their service work for us but it’s not working. Kung baga hindi kami para sa isa’t isa.

I tried my best, I bought a good router to lower the ping (which worked but the connection is really doomed and the router can’t make it up). I’ve called, emailed, chatted, ranted on their social media and not just once, not even twice. I have lost my count how many times I’ve tried to reach out to them just to ask for a single copy of my bill every month but they never sent me one ( oops sorry, they did once and actually promised me that I’ll get it every month but no it never happened). They even kept sending me instructions on how-to (as if I don’t know how) that never worked and kept saying contact support no SOA available!

The connection sucks, I don’t know what’s wrong with their servers but there are sites that tend to load slowly using their connection. By that I mean, that the site or the app loads properly on other connection except converge. There are times that the speed gets inconsistent, and it’s so sad that it tends to happen when I’m streaming or certain times of the day.

We have a so-called “fiber” connection but when it rains it sucks. It never happened to us with Globe DSL and PLDT Fibr. It isn’t supposed to happen with a wired connection but it happens with Converge.

Their support… Not sure if you really want to know but it sucks man! Nothing is perfect I know but comparing with other providers like Globe and PLDT, they are not easy to reach out. There may be long queues and delayed processing with those providers but at least they’re getting it into action. Unlike with Converge, I tried to request for an upgrade the first attempt I’ve been charged already without getting any of the upgrades and they didn’t refund it, so I had to follow it up so many times before getting it. (they never refund or adjust the bill even you didn’t have a connection for days. But other ISP in the Philippines does provide bill adjustments when the user wasn’t able to use the service).

And last month (1 and a half months), I requested for a plan upgrade. Yeah! I’m trying my best to give them a chance to improve. I discussed what happened to the previous update. AND GUESS WHAT! MY PLAN STILL SUCKS AND STILL, HAVEN’T GOT AN UPGRADE. Imagine a tindera and you want to buy an expensive item, but the tindera doesn’t care and won’t say a single thing. What would you feel?

Link to my complaint screenshots, I have deleted the others already because it’s taking up my space. 🙁

So we looked for a PLDT sales agent to process an application for a better plan with LANDLINE that I could use to complain when there’s a problem and not wait in vain just wait on queue.

I honestly feel sad for those who switched to Converge like me, I’m glad there are a few users who say that Converge is good but I’m guessing they’re just working for Converge that’s why they say that. Because I also know people who use Converge and they also had complaints about inconsistent connection. PLDT is not perfect I know that for a fact because we’ve been a 4-year subscriber back then but I’m sure it’s way way better than Converge ICT.

BTW, I’m not sure if I have said this before but this post is not sponsored by anyone but you can support our site by sending ko-fi or tip on my streaming page ? BEKE NEMEN!