I’ve got umobile mail! Invites and umobile stories here

I received my ümobile SIM today via courier delivered right at my office doorstep. The messenger tells me they’ve delivered a few hundred in Southern Manila and Southern Tagalog. They are expecting to deliver a thousand or more, lined up for the next many weeks. Thanks to codegiver and people scrounging around for invites and codes. (Read on to find out how to get an invite.)

The messenger tells me that the SIM is already activated, has P100 prepaid credit and that additional airtime load can be purchased online. I ask him whether it’s paid via credit card and he says he doesn’t know.

(I got a call from Leo of umobile customer service a few hours after I published this article. He said they’re investigating the observations I made about outgoing calls/text and the wapsite. He answered a few of my questions as well, noted by updates below. By the way, I haven’t received any of those text advertisements … yet! )

Update from Leo of umobile (June 12): Online loading is done via PayPal and what sounded like “e-Pin”. We can load also using any bancnet or megalink, I’m told. I also found out from the website that we can transfer load to other users.

Here’s what the package looks like.

The SIM pack describes some features:

• Get rewards for every ad you receive and enjoy sponsored usage of umobile services.
• Get FREE P100 load every month for 6 months
• Experience nationwide coverage
• Enjoy PC calling with umobile’s virtual phone
• Access any Internet site
• Be connected with brands that matter to you
• Visit www.umobile.com.ph or call *999 on your umobile phone anytime for more information. You can also email us at customerservice@umobile.com.ph or call our hotline at (02) 319-9999.

My first umobile SMS message:

Welcome to the new and exciting world of umobile, where everything is created with you in mind. Visit www.umobile.com.ph/mobile for more info.

But the website isn’t loading on my side tonight. It gives me this message:

You don’t have permission to access /mobile on this server.
Apache/2.2.3 (CentOS) Server at www.umobile.com.ph Port 80

I wonder, is that URL accessible only to mobile phones?
Update (June 12): It’s a wapsite. I tried browsing the wapsite via an online service www.wapsilon.com, but still couldn’t load the wapsite (see umobile wapsite screenshot).

Mic test

I try to access the hotline *999 but a familiar voice “Your number cannot be completed as dialled. Please check the number and try again.” It’s a familiar voice It’s the same voice as Smart’s automated reply.

Incoming calls and text from my Smart number worked fine.

I tried calling my Smart number using umobile. Result: “Number barred”
I tried texting my Smart number. Result: “Check operator services”

Update (June 12, 7pm): Three (three!) customer service reps from umobile called me today. They asked me questions, verified my reports from this blog etc. Late in the afternoon, I got a call saying the services have been activated. From my umobile SIM, I successfully texted my Smart number, successfully called my Smart number and successfully reached the hotline *9999. As for calls to Sun and Globe, that’s still being worked out, they say.

More ümobile info

Call rates: http://www.umobile.com.ph/call
Mobile VOIP: http://www.umobile.com.ph/fring

How to get an invite: http://www.umobile.com.ph/invite_instructions (official press release)
Here is how I got my invite:

Send to ϋmobile Customer Service customerservice@umobile.com.ph your:
1. Full Name
2. Email Address/es

Load validity

• PHP100.00 (15 days)
• PHP300.00 (30 days)
• PHP500.00 (60 days)
• PHP1,000.00 (60 days)

umobile according to blogs

• My previous umobile post: Ad Funded mobile network
• SMS is now free in Philippines
• U Mobile invite codes giveaway by Jepoy
• U Mobile on Pinoytechblog
• U Mobile connection problems by Abe
• U Mobile High Speed Mobile Internet
• U Mobile: Asia’s First Ad-Supported Cellphone Service
• U Mobile broadband, unlimited broadband access? – Kongtechnology.com
• U Mobile: CURE’s Free Mobile Service – Philippine News on Grabeh.com
• rockersworld.com » U Mobile
• U Mobile : Free 350 Load Monthly | Waukster Online
• U Mobile Should Send No More Than Four Ads a Day | The Mike Abundo Effect
• Google Search U Mobile

What’s your umobile story? Do share!

Updates from umobile received via email June28:

Greetings from ümobile!

Thank you for being one of the first to become a ümobile member! We appreciate the time you spent in filling out our application forms and for waiting patiently for your ümobile SIM cards to arrive at your doorstep. We count your support in the early stages of ümobile as invaluable!

With this, we would also like to clarify and address some issues that have cropped up.

• As most of you have noticed, your ümobile SIM has difficulty connecting with Globe and Sun. This is due to the delay in the interconnectivity of the ümobile network with the two operators. We have already remedied part of the problem by allowing you to call Globe/Sun users; soon, you will be able to text them as well. We are currently working on full network interconnectivity so that you may receive calls and texts from Globe/Sun subs.

• Regarding load/top-up inquiries, we are pleased to announce that you can get additional ümobile load from the following sources:

• • Load.com (http://www.load.com.ph/outlets.asp)
  • Mega Cellular Network Inc. (http://www.load.com.ph/outlets.asp)
  • Mega Fone Card Station (http://www.megafonekardstation.com/branches.html)

We are currently finalizing the expansion of our load network to cover convenience stores as well as major transportation points for your easy access.

• We are fine tuning our approval and logistics process to speed up the delivery of ümobile SIM’s to those who wish to be part of the ümobile family.

• We will be improving and moving some of our key facilities in order to improve our services and take advantage of the expertise of the PLDT group of companies; this may entail some service interruptions during certain periods. Please bear with us and know that all this is being done to better serve you.

Thank you for your valuable feedback and rest assured that your concerns are read and acted upon by ümobile.

On a more positive note, we are in the final stages of getting advertisers. You will soon get ads that fit your profile and provide you with free load all at the same time! That’s why completing the lifestyle questionnaire is important!

Watch out as we will make more exciting announcements in the near future that will give you more reasons to smile.

Cheers!

Ardie Balderrama
Chief Marketing Officer
ümobile-CURE, Inc.

To the people behind umobile, congratulations on how you’re keeping your customers up-to-date with the service improvements! Keep it up, and looking forward to seeing the mobile environment changing for the better!

Update, August 30

From: codegiver@umobile.com.ph
Date: Fri, Aug 29, 2008 at 11:17 PM
Subject: ümobile Updates

	Hi ümobile customer! As part of our on-going service to you, we would like to update you regarding the status of the ümobile service. We would like to inform you that due to the planned migration and integration of the ümobile systems and equipment to the Smart facilities, we will not be able to accept applications starting September 1, 2008 until further notice. The good news is that for as long as we receive an application to the service by August 31, 2008, ümobile will continue to process and still give the FREE P100 Load every month for the next six months even if the approval happens beyond this date. Current ümobile customers and those who will be approved will still continue to enjoy the benefits ümobile has been given you over the past months. We will again send you an update on the system migration and integration project as soon as we have news. Please be assured that we are doing everything we can to make the &uu! ml;mobile experience good for all our customers like you. Thank you. Sincerely, Ardie Balderrama Chief Marketing Officer ümobile – CURE, Inc.

ka edong
u and me and all other people

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