The Definitive Guide to 4G LTE Security Cameras in the Philippines
Until recently, if you owned a provincial farm in Batangas, an empty lot in Cavite, or an active construction site in Metro Manila, installing a security camera was practically impossible. Traditional CCTV systems are entirely dependent on fixed broadband internet (like PLDT Fibr or Converge) to transmit video to your phone. If the location did not have a fiber optic line installed, you were blind.
4G LTE Security Cameras have completely revolutionized remote security in the Philippines. By bypassing broadband lines and communicating directly with local cell towers, these cameras allow you to monitor any property, anywhere in the archipelago, as long as there is a mobile signal.
How Do 4G CCTV Cameras Work?
A 4G LTE camera operates identically to your smartphone. Inside the camera body is a built-in cellular modem and a SIM card slot.
You simply purchase a standard prepaid nano-SIM card from Globe, Smart, or DITO. You load it with a data promo, insert it into the camera, and power the camera on. The camera automatically registers to the cell tower. You then download our mobile app, scan the QR code on the camera, and you instantly have a live video feed transmitted over the cellular network.
Data Consumption: Will It Eat All My Load?
One of the biggest misconceptions about 4G cameras is that they will consume massive amounts of data and drain your prepaid load in a matter of days. This is false.
4G security cameras use on-demand streaming. This means:
- When you are NOT watching: The camera uses almost zero data (less than 2MB per day) just to keep the connection "alive" with the server. It saves video recordings locally to its internal MicroSD card.
- When you ARE watching: The camera only consumes data when you actively open the app to watch the live feed or download a recorded clip. Watching the feed on "SD" (Standard Definition) uses about 1MB to 2MB per minute.
For the average user who checks their camera 3 to 4 times a day for a few minutes, a cheap "Magic Data" or "Non-Expiring Data" promo (around 24GB for ₱399) can easily last for several months.
Wired 4G vs. Solar 4G: Which Do You Need?
We offer two distinct types of 4G cameras, and your choice depends on whether or not your site has electricity.
1. Wired 4G LTE Cameras (For Sites with Electricity but NO Internet)
If you have an industrial warehouse or a rented office space where you have 220V electricity, but you don't want to sign a 2-year lock-in contract with PLDT just for a camera, you need a Wired 4G Camera. You plug the adapter into the wall outlet, and it connects via the SIM card. Because it has continuous power, it can record 24/7 non-stop to its memory card.
2. Solar 4G LTE Cameras (For Sites with NO Electricity and NO Internet)
If you are monitoring a remote fishpond or an empty subdivision lot, you need the Solar 4G PTZ Camera. This unit has a built-in lithium-ion battery and its own solar panel. It generates its own power and creates its own internet connection. It is the ultimate 100% off-grid security solution.
Choosing the Right Network (Globe vs. Smart vs. DITO)
All our 4G LTE cameras are factory unlocked. They are not tied to a specific network. The most important step before installing your camera is conducting a Site Survey. Take your personal smartphone to the exact spot where you intend to mount the camera (e.g., the top of the gate pole). Check your signal bars. If Globe has 4 bars of LTE and Smart has 1 bar, buy a Globe SIM card for the camera. The camera can only transmit video as fast as the local cell tower allows.