I’ve got umobile mail! Invites and umobile stories here
June 11th, 2008 | by ka edong |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.
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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!
ka edong
u and me and all other people
56 Responses to “I’ve got umobile mail! Invites and umobile stories here”
By Dominique on Jun 12, 2008 | Reply
may i ask for an invite?
email is: dmzamora@hotmail.com
thanks!
james reply on August 25th, 2008 5:31 pm:
penge naman po ako ng code…djhamez231@yahoo.com
By billy on Jun 14, 2008 | Reply
the invite code giver is up again! - http://www.umobile.com.ph/home
By ka edong on Jun 14, 2008 | Reply
yey!
By jepoy on Jun 14, 2008 | Reply
@ka edski, tinawagan din ako ng umobile kanina to verify my problems na nakapost sa blog ko
By kae on Jun 14, 2008 | Reply
hi. i signed up for umobile and been waiting for the confirmation for a day. how long does it take for an application to be approved? thanks
By ka edong on Jun 16, 2008 | Reply
hi kae,
the lines and the wait are probably getting longer.
By ka edong on Jun 16, 2008 | Reply
@ jepoy,
looks like they’re managing relationships with bloggers better this time
(compared to ignoring blog comments nung maraming complaints sa
smartbro nuon)
By Christopher Quijano on Jun 19, 2008 | Reply
Ka Edong!
Good Am po! Buti pa po kayo narecieve nyo na po ang inyong SIM, while me still waiting for the confirmation e-mail. Even my friend who got his umobile invite from the website got his SIM last week!
How I wonder what happened to my application. Kelangan ko na bang mag-register uli?
Thanks!
By ka edong on Jun 19, 2008 | Reply
Hi Christopher,
.
That might work
Goodluck!
By Christopher Quijano on Jun 19, 2008 | Reply
Ka Edong,
I think there is no need. Just received my approval e-mail before lunch and just waiting for a call from them for the SIM delivery. I think those umobile guys are reading your blog a lot! ^_^;
-Chris
By ka edong on Jun 19, 2008 | Reply
hahaha! Siguro!
.
They called me promptly within less than 10 hours of publishing this story.
They called you today.
Two is a trend, isn’t it?
O, mga kaibigan! Sino pa po ang may kailangan sa u mobile?
By Rogene on Jun 21, 2008 | Reply
I’m a umobile sim owner too. I’ve been using the service for three days now (though owning only one phone, I needed to disable my Globe sim for a while) and so far, ok naman ang service nya. Tried calling Smart, Globe, and Sun numbers already and ok rin naman ang connection. Yun lang, di talaga nagreregister ang number ko sa ibang phones since may problem pa nga sa interconnectivity.
I’ve been using the mobile Internet feature too. Nagtry ako magtest ng speed and umaabot naman sa 1300+kbps, pretty nice really.
I hope maging maayos na ang interconnectivity issues nila soon para ok sa olrayt na… And sana mamaintain nila yung uber awesome na customer support nila! Hehehe…
By ka edong on Jun 22, 2008 | Reply
Thanks for sharing your stories, Rogene!
By allan on Jun 24, 2008 | Reply
bat ganun, pag i na access ko ung Umobile menu, FORBIDDEN. You dont have permission to access this service, etc.’ Ako lang b me ganito problem? Help! Umobile people cnt answer this anymore.
By ninyeh on Jun 27, 2008 | Reply
can someon send me an invite.. ninyeh@gmail.com.. please please please hehehe
By allan on Jun 27, 2008 | Reply
wala ba voice mail service umobile?
By allan on Jun 27, 2008 | Reply
hirap makahanap ng top up load stations for umobile!
By ka edong on Jun 27, 2008 | Reply
You can try online top up ng load, using your megalink or bancnet.
See http://www.umobile.com.ph/faqs
Where can customers load up Prepaid load?
ümobile Prepaid load may be purchased either via the ümobile website or convenience stores and mobile loading outlets.
Prepaid load can be purchased either via E-PIN or Direct Load.
By allan on Jun 28, 2008 | Reply
i went back to smart. Cnt find load outlets of umobile, no voice mail, i sent emails several times to umobile and they ignore them, cnt avail of call and text promo of smart, and cnt call and txt globe and sun!
ka edong reply on June 29th, 2008 10:50 am:
Hi allan, james,
See updates in the article, I posted umobile updates which I received via email.
By james on Jun 29, 2008 | Reply
hi.. uhmm.. can i get an invite code?
By allan on Jun 29, 2008 | Reply
In the meantime im using smart, globe and sun. I have three phones and im willing to give up globe in place of Umobile bec of GLOBE’s Snail like mobile internet speed! I cant afford to have another ‘headache’ and too much stress caused by Umobile. but im willing to use umobile once everything runs smoothly. Ill visit this blog frm time to time for umobile updates. Thanks!
ka edong reply on June 29th, 2008 12:41 pm:
okidokie, allan
By james on Jun 30, 2008 | Reply
thanks for the info.. hmm.. i already got my invite code.. and i also finished the application form.. how many days does it take to process my account.? and if umobile send you an e-mail saying thank you, is applying for the sim already done.? the only thing you need to do is to wait for the next email or for the sim package.?
thanks again.. =p
(exited for the sim package.. haha!! =p)
ka edong reply on July 1st, 2008 12:11 am:
in my case, i got a call from the courier service a few days after applying. hope you get your call soon.
james reply on July 1st, 2008 7:00 pm:
ow.. i see.. hmm.. hope i will receive the confirmation stuff soon.. hehe.. =p
By daf on Jul 1, 2008 | Reply
hi james, just want to ask on how did you get your invite code? I followed the instructions on jepoy’s blog and emailed my details to customerservice@umobile.com.ph. Also, how long will it take to receive the invite?
Thank you. ^^
james reply on July 1st, 2008 7:05 pm:
hi daf.. hmm.. for you to have to have the invite code, you need to go to the umobile.com.ph.. you will see on the right side a some kind of a pop-up saying the numbers of available code’s left.. click it and follow the instructions..
but im not sure if that the pop up is still there.. just go to the website once in a while so that you can be sure to get an invite code..
By PoL McCaiN on Jul 1, 2008 | Reply
ei, guys, i’m really intrested to be a umobiler, hehehe, anybody kind enough to send me an invite, hehehe, pyro_1101@yaho.com here =)
By daf on Jul 2, 2008 | Reply
Thanks! I got my invite code now =). Hoping my application to be approved.
By ninyeh on Jul 3, 2008 | Reply
leave a comment in my site and ill send you some invites codes.. still got 5 more
http://myne4ever.blogspot.com/
ninyehs last blog post..Free umobile invites
ka edong reply on July 3rd, 2008 9:13 pm:
Thanks Ninyeh.
I referred Melvin to you.
By Melvin Capco on Jul 3, 2008 | Reply
Hi, Ka Edong,
pls. invite me to umobile…. Ü
Name: Melvin Capco
Mobile No.: 0927-842-4868
Email address: melvincapco@yahoo.com
ka edong reply on July 3rd, 2008 9:12 pm:
Hi Melvin,
1.) read the article, there are instructions there how to get an invite.
2.) See Ninyeh’s blog, she’s giving away invites.
ka edong
By allan on Jul 4, 2008 | Reply
hi ka edong! Any updates on umobile interconnection with globe and sun? I think the two telcos are using delaying tactics to get larger market share. What do u think? Btw, do you know how to set up VOICE MAIL?
By ka edong on Jul 4, 2008 | Reply
sorry, i don’t know how to setup voice mail.
try calling their contact center to inquire.
Goodluck!
ka edong
By karla on Jul 5, 2008 | Reply
Hi Ka Edong,
Did they ask you for a photocopy of your ID? Just checking.
ka edong reply on July 5th, 2008 11:17 pm:
hi ka rla!
when they delivered the SIM, yes.
By lei28 on Jul 7, 2008 | Reply
pwede penge? leizel_0128@yahoo.com.ph ad ko..
thanks!
By james on Jul 8, 2008 | Reply
hey guyz.. just got my umobile sim.. hmm.. since its just new i dont have any txtmate and stuff.. so can we be txtmate.. =p
just e-mail me your numbers poh.. =p
james_abellanosa@yahoo.com
By emmanuel on Jul 14, 2008 | Reply
i want to have a u-mobile sim.. can anyone give me an invite code?.. pls po.. tnx.. godbless everyone!!!
By Ish on Jul 22, 2008 | Reply
I got my umobile sim today and tried calling my bf’s globe number. Seem like the 999 number is still not registered and is appearing as an Unknown number with globe. I also tried texting my bf but it does not go through.
Perhaps CURE, you can check on this?
Hopefully your services include unlimited U to U calling.
By JR on Jul 23, 2008 | Reply
i know its a long shot, but do you still have any invites left?
jrdabon@gmail.com
just keep me posted and thanks for the walk through answered alot of my questions.
JRs last blog post..FLICKR Game
ka edong reply on July 25th, 2008 2:08 pm:
hi JR,
I don’t have invites, but the tips on my website might help.
Goodluck!
ka edong
By ij on Aug 1, 2008 | Reply
ij torres
ijtorres@ymail.com
09233611647
mga sir/mam kahit sino po bka meron pa po invites.. thx in advance!!
By erickson limosinero on Aug 17, 2008 | Reply
ei..i am really interested about your free sim card.i just read your promo in the internet..but i do not know anyone who is already a member of umobile…i just want to ask if you can help me to have a code?thank you very much..my mobile number is 09276401460..hope you can help me to have one..thanks..
By Nathaniel on Aug 21, 2008 | Reply
Brrr.. (crossing fingers, waiting for my application to be confirmed) I have days left, for me to avail the free 100 load… Waaaahh…
By yukito16 on Aug 22, 2008 | Reply
kelan kaya maaprove ung application ko sa kanila? almost a week na rin since nagsign up ako.. hayy.. antagal po ba talaga? ilan days po ba approval nila? do i need to register po ba ulet? kakaexcite kase..
juz wanna give it a try.. juz wanna know kung ano bang meron sa umobile na wala sa network carrier ko ngaun.. saka mukang kakaexcite mga features, kase mura lang mobile internet..
sana maapprove na aplication ko..
hehehe.. ka edzki, ilan days po ba kau bago naprove?
ka edong reply on August 23rd, 2008 12:36 pm:
Sa akin, siguro mga 1-2 weeks din yun.
.
di ko hinintay, kaya di ko pinroblema.
Sabi nga nila, “a watched pot does not boil.”.
hayaan mo lang ng ilan pang linggo, darating din yun.
don’t loose sleep over it
ka edongs last blog post..Quick and Easy Remittance by MyAyala.com
yukito16 reply on August 23rd, 2008 5:58 pm:
ako super wait talaga.. i dunno why?! maybe sobrang excited lang.. and gusto ko talagang itry.. sasacrifice ko globe sim ko para lang sa approval.. ganun kadesperado na ko.. hahaha… i heard this before na eh, kala ko nga june 2007 ilalaunch na to sa public.. di pa rin pala.. ngaun ba for trial purpose pa din?
anyway, sana maapprove ako… weeeee…
By erickson on Aug 24, 2008 | Reply
ei…still waiting??me too..haha..sana they’ll send me one before august 30….
By Nick De Vera on Aug 29, 2008 | Reply
I hope my application will be approved before August 31. I apply last August 26!
By Adrian Carlos on Aug 29, 2008 | Reply
whoa! kaka register ko lang ngaun damn mukhang wala na akong pag asa makapasok by aug 31 T_T
By yukito16 on Aug 29, 2008 | Reply
maprove pa kaya ako? haha.. 2weeks na rin ata akong waiting ha.. tagal naman.. sana naman umabot pa ko b4 the end of this month….. uuhhmm… please.. hehehe..