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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! :D )

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.

umobile SIM pack

umobile SIM pack

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 :D 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

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:
  • 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

Popularity: 12%

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    1. 79 Responses to “I’ve got umobile mail! Invites and umobile stories here”

    2. By Dominique on Jun 12, 2008 | Reply

      may i ask for an invite? :)

      email is: dmzamora@hotmail.com

      thanks!

    3. By billy on Jun 14, 2008 | Reply

      the invite code giver is up again! - http://www.umobile.com.ph/home

    4. By ka edong on Jun 14, 2008 | Reply

      yey! :-)

    5. By jepoy on Jun 14, 2008 | Reply

      @ka edski, tinawagan din ako ng umobile kanina to verify my problems na nakapost sa blog ko :D

    6. 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

    7. By ka edong on Jun 16, 2008 | Reply

      hi kae,

      the lines and the wait are probably getting longer.

    8. 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)

    9. 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!

    10. By ka edong on Jun 19, 2008 | Reply

      Hi Christopher,
      That might work ;-) .
      Goodluck!

    11. 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

    12. 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?

      :D

    13. 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…

    14. By ka edong on Jun 22, 2008 | Reply

      Thanks for sharing your stories, Rogene!

    15. 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.

    16. By ninyeh on Jun 27, 2008 | Reply

      can someon send me an invite.. ninyeh@gmail.com.. please please please hehehe

    17. By allan on Jun 27, 2008 | Reply

      wala ba voice mail service umobile?

    18. By allan on Jun 27, 2008 | Reply

      hirap makahanap ng top up load stations for umobile!

    19. 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.

    20. 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!

    21. By james on Jun 29, 2008 | Reply

      hi.. uhmm.. can i get an invite code?

    22. By ka edong on Jun 29, 2008 | Reply

      Hi allan, james,

      See updates in the article, I posted umobile updates which I received via email.

    23. 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!

    24. By ka edong on Jun 29, 2008 | Reply

      okidokie, allan

    25. 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)

    26. By ka edong on Jul 1, 2008 | Reply

      in my case, i got a call from the courier service a few days after applying. hope you get your call soon. :-)

    27. 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. ^^

    28. 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 =)

    29. By james on Jul 1, 2008 | Reply

      ow.. i see.. hmm.. hope i will receive the confirmation stuff soon.. hehe.. =p

    30. By james on Jul 1, 2008 | Reply

      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..

    31. By daf on Jul 2, 2008 | Reply

      Thanks! I got my invite code now =). Hoping my application to be approved.

    32. 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

    33. 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

    34. By ka edong on Jul 3, 2008 | Reply

      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

    35. By ka edong on Jul 3, 2008 | Reply

      Thanks Ninyeh.
      I referred Melvin to you.

    36. 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?

    37. 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

    38. By karla on Jul 5, 2008 | Reply

      Hi Ka Edong,

      Did they ask you for a photocopy of your ID? Just checking. :)

    39. By ka edong on Jul 5, 2008 | Reply

      hi ka rla!
      when they delivered the SIM, yes.

    40. By lei28 on Jul 7, 2008 | Reply

      pwede penge? leizel_0128@yahoo.com.ph ad ko..
      thanks!

    41. 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

    42. 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!!!

    43. 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.

    44. 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

    45. By ka edong on Jul 25, 2008 | Reply

      hi JR,
      I don’t have invites, but the tips on my website might help.
      Goodluck!

      ka edong

    46. 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!!

    47. 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..

    48. 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…

    49. 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?

    50. By ka edong on Aug 23, 2008 | Reply

      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

    51. By yukito16 on Aug 23, 2008 | Reply

      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…

    52. By erickson on Aug 24, 2008 | Reply

      ei…still waiting??me too..haha..sana they’ll send me one before august 30….

    53. By james on Aug 25, 2008 | Reply

      penge naman po ako ng code…djhamez231@yahoo.com

    54. By Nick De Vera on Aug 29, 2008 | Reply

      I hope my application will be approved before August 31. I apply last August 26!

    55. 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

    56. 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..

    57. By Adrian Carlos on Aug 30, 2008 | Reply

      bago na conditions basta nakapag register ka bago mag august 31 may libre pa rin ^^ nag mail kasi sila about sa pag migrate ng systems nila to smart d ba? sabi nila may libreng load pa rin kahit lagpas na ng august 31 ka ma approve basta nakapag sign up ka bago mag august 13 ^_^

    58. By Adrian Carlos on Aug 30, 2008 | Reply

      august 31 pala hehe

    59. By yukito16 on Sep 4, 2008 | Reply

      weeeeeeeee… approved na ko.. kaso wala pa tumatawag sa akin.. kelan kaya sila tatawag??

    60. By jairus on Sep 4, 2008 | Reply

      pls invite nyo po ako..im 21 years old… jai_rus03@yahoo.com 09054027860

    61. By yukito16 on Sep 5, 2008 | Reply

      due to migration to smart facilities, wala muna invite ngaun.. until further notice.. sayang.. di ka nakaabot..

    62. By dre on Sep 14, 2008 | Reply

      invite code please if there are any… badly needed lang po - dre_2142000@yahoo.com - pkisend nalang po

    63. By lexine on Sep 15, 2008 | Reply

      Free umobile invites and codes Lexine’s Corner

      visit nyo poh site ko… comment kayo on the blog so that i could give you invites, para mas easier monitoring if sa blog ko kayo mag comment.. thanks^^ click nyo lng link na to

    64. By Nick De Vera on Sep 17, 2008 | Reply

      Same Here. Approved Last September 6 Application ko. until now ala pa reply.

    65. By Nick De Vera on Sep 17, 2008 | Reply

      Send invite is not working right now

    66. By allan on Sep 22, 2008 | Reply

      still cant call and text globe and sun.

    67. By ness on Sep 23, 2008 | Reply

      ei.. panu ba ko magkakaron ng umobile sim?!!!

    68. By Nathaniel on Sep 24, 2008 | Reply

      Hayy, ako wala pa. I’m wondering if my application got denied. My friend told me that someone called him earlier this afternoon about his umobile. Still, waiting.

    69. By Bienvenido on Sep 25, 2008 | Reply

      Pwede ba ang umobile sim sa Sim-locked handset ng smart?

    70. By Allan on Sep 29, 2008 | Reply

      Hi. Im back. Since i cnt call and text anyone yet outside umobile community, pls drop a message at 09993000918.

    71. By allan on Oct 23, 2008 | Reply

      what happend with umobile? Ive been calling their hotline and no one answers and even my emails for the past 2weeks! They stopped my free load! This month and nobody returns my calls and emails! nagsarado na ba umobile? Mukhang nag fail yung ads nila at ng entire CURE business! Pati interconnection nila with globe and sun wala pa din. 3 mos pa lang nila ako nbgyan ng free load! Dati pag nag iwan ako message, may nagrereturn kol. Ngaun wala na. Toink!

    72. By allan on Oct 23, 2008 | Reply

      mukhang itatapon ko na Umobile sim ko kc di ko rin maloadan. Naka blocked all outgoing calls at text pag zero balance.so di ko maloadan ng regular load at kelangan tumawag sa hotline. How can I do it e wala ng sumasagot sa hotline nila? Bye umobile! So, business failed!

    73. By anna on Oct 29, 2008 | Reply

      ROFLMAO!!!

    74. By Bienvenido on Nov 15, 2008 | Reply

      umobile is now red mobile

    75. By Zhang on Nov 15, 2008 | Reply

      hi ive got a call from ümoblie! hmm mukhang mali ang strategy nila na mag try out dahil halos lahat naka UNLIMITTED na like unlitxt and call. d nila kaya gayahin ang ibang netwokrs like globe smart and even sun na 24/7call and text unlimitted. first they are called CURE but nalugi so binili ng smart they change it to ümobile nag grand launch pa sila sa mga bar etc but not in tv advertisement. then after a few months lugi din they are now called RED MOBILE. ang kakaiba nila ay P50cents lang per minute call pag red to red and they the signal with the partnership of smart so malakas, so lahat ng umobile subscribers will change to red mobile. if u watch tv they even advertise nakita ko sa tv. pero i dont know kung magiging click to. so lets just wait nalang sa new RED MOBILE. :)
      Zhangs last blog post..Britney Spears - Womanizer ( Pink so what remix ) HQ Musicvideo

    76. By Zhang on Nov 15, 2008 | Reply

      yeah… pero magiging click kaya to?

      Zhangs last blog post..Britney Spears - Womanizer ( Pink so what remix ) HQ Musicvideo

    77. By yukito16 on Nov 24, 2008 | Reply

      wala ng signal umobile? if nagswitch un sa red mobile, bakit no coverage? ahhmm… kawawa naman..

    78. By policarpio on Nov 30, 2008 | Reply

      bye umobile……
      suppose to be the most promising…

    79. By Chloe on Mar 31, 2009 | Reply

      How do I add your RSS feed to my reader? I could do with a little beginners help :)

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