ümobile First Look
Saturday, June 14, 2008 ADVERTISEMENTS
Captain's Log Stardate -315451.11
I got my ümobile SIM card this afternoon and obviously, I immediately inserted it on my Nokia N70. It took several minutes for my phone to acquire a signal and several more minutes before I could make a call. "Your number cannot be completed as dialed, please check the number and dial again"... Familiar? Yes. The same voice prompt from SMART and PLDT Landline Plus.
So when I finally got the SIM to work, I tried to call my Globe number. My ümobile number did not register on Globe's caller ID. Tried calling my SUN Cellular number, same thing. My ümobile number finally registered on my Smart Buddy account though.
Another problem I encountered was my ümobile SIM cannot send SMS to any Globe or SUN Cellular numbers. I can send an SMS but the problem is that my Globe and SUN Cellular lines receive nothing. I tried it several times on different Globe and SUN numbers and still the same problem.
Same with calls. Globe and Sun Cellular subscribers cannot call my ümobile SIM. Interconnection problems?
I tried to use my ümobile SIM on my 2.5G Samsung SGH-X426 phone since Sir Angelo reported that he was unable to use his ümobile SIM on a Nokia 1112. So far, my SIM works on a non-3G but GPRS capable mobile phone.
I haven't tried sending an MMS to another umobile subscriber since I don't know anyone, besides Mike, using umobile. But I did send an MMS to my email account at GMail and unfortunately, it didn't arrive in my inbox.
My default number is 0999-3000737 and as of now, I cannot customize my number as the online facility is under maintenance.
ümobile's SIM is a 64K SIM Card with an STK Menu. I don't think it supports the recent 64K and 128K menus of Smart and Globe SIM cards which allows everyone to personalize their menus. Each link on ümobile's STK directly links their wapsite.
Reloading of credits is currently via PayEasy and PayPal only. PayEasy is Mozcom's online payment gateway for internet users and internet store owners. You can fund your PayEasy Wallet using your local or international credit card, BancNet ATM debit card or Globe G-Cash. Payeasy also supports offline funding through Banco de Oro, EastWest Bank, China Bank, Western Union, M. Lhuillier, or Cebuana Lhuillier.
* Load purchase made via Bancnet with less than PhP500.00 will charge you additional Php20.00 per transaction.
* Purchases made via Megalink (ATM) with less than P200/transaction will charge you additional P20/transaction.
PayPal on the other hand is a safe, easy way to pay and get paid online. The service allows anyone to pay in any way they prefer, including through credit cards, bank accounts, buyer credit or account balances, without sharing financial information.
I tried reloading via PayPal and PayEasy but the website got stuck on the "creating request" page. I only have P89 prepaid credits left and I have yet to receive an SMS Ad to "replenish" my prepaid credits :P
  
So far, here's a quick summary of my first ümobile experience:
- Your number will not be shown on caller id when you call a Globe and SUN Cellular subscriber. Ninja stealth anyone? :P
- SIM Card works on a non-3G but GPRS capable phone. Haven't tried using the SIM on a very old model though.
- SMS sent from a ümobile SIM will not reach Globe and SUN Cellular subscribers as of the moment.
- MMS sent from a ümobile SIM to email address and other networks still does not work.
- My ümobile SIM cannot receive calls from Globe and Sun Cellular subscribers.
- Reloading your credits will only be possible online through PayEasy or PayPal.
- You can invite 10 friends to ümobile every month.
Since ümobile is still new, problems like interconnection with other networks cannot be avoided. Sun Cellular experienced the same problems when they're new. I will stick to my Globe line for the moment until ümobile fixes these problems. I'm really looking forward in customizing my number soon.
(UPDATE June 14th, 2008 6:12PM: umobile called me a few hours ago and apologized for the problems I have encountered. Interconnection with Globe and SUN is not yet finished so sending SMS and MMS to those two networks will not work in the mean time. MMS to email is also being worked out as well as the caller id problems with Globe and Sun. Talk about great customer service!)
By the way, ümobile will be having another party on June 20 at Ascend, Bonifacio High Street.
Get ready for lift off at the next ümobile bash on June 20 at Ascend, Bonifacio High Street, Fort Bonifacio Global City, Taguig from 10pm onwards. Entrance will be free from 10pm-12mn and the first 350 guests get free drinks, so bring all your friends! Enjoy the music and company that ümobile brings because we started it all with u!
I don't drink so could my free drink be converted to a free 3G phone? :~)
See you on June 20th everyone :)
Looking for invite codes? CLICK HERE!
*Computer end log*
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THERE ARE 8 COMMENT(S) ON THIS POST:
I subscribed Sun's service since 2003 and had endured their network's limitations of rendering good service.
that must be with umobile. Pero okay lang yan. As we go along, maging okay din yung service nila...
@dodong - umobile just called, SMS and MMS to other networks are still down.
I sure hope they improve their service.
wow ayus =)
ask ko lang po, gaano po katagal mareceive yung sim kasi 2 weeks na po ako member kaso wala pa rin yung sim, di pa nila naipapadala sa address ko, is it thru ordinary snail mail or fedex, lbc, thanks
@jhay - approved na yung account mo? mga 1-2 weeks dapat may tatawag na sayo for verification once approved ka. Taga umobile mismo magdedeliver ng SIM
i had fun with my umobile for a while. had unlimited calling to all networks, but now, i can't even call their hotline (*999). can't even send a message to 991 or 930 so i can reload...do you have any updates about their service? your post was really informative...call or txt me?. 0999-3005574 -daisy-
uMobile is now Red Mobile
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