Then next morning, ümobile Customer Service sent me an invite code.

We’re so happy that you want to be part of our ümobile family! And as requested, here’s your invite code: xxxxxxxxxxx

Now all you have to do is plug in your invite code at www.umobile.com.ph and complete the forms. If accepted, we’ll send an email to notify you.

(Email date: July 3, Thursday, 6:41am)
(Email read: July 3, Thursday, 11:45am)

So I signed up right away. I filled out a LONG application form including the first 3 lifestyle questionnaires. Then I immediately got a reply from ümobile:

Thanks for applying and answering the first round of lifestyle questionnaires on the site.

However, there’s another group of lifestyle questionnaires that you left unanswered. Maybe you’d like to go back and complete them so that we can get to know you even better.

(Email date: July 3, Thursday, 12:03 pm)

So I logged in to my ümobile account and answered the remaining set of lifestyle questionnaires. Then I got another email:

Thanks for applying and finishing the questionnaires!

Your application is being processed. Just sit tight for our email saying that you’ve been approved as a ümobile subscriber.

Then log on to www.umobile.com.ph and enter an exciting world of ümobile.

(Email Date: July 3, Thursday, 12:10pm)

After 4 days, my application was approved.

It’s official! You are now part of the wonderful world of ümobile. As part of the ümobile community, you can call, text, MMS, surf the net, and chat online for free! Well, almost.

Wait for the call from our courier to confirm your SIM delivery details. Upon delivery of your new ümobile SIM, please present 1 valid ID and submit a photocopy of this to the delivery personnel.

(Email Date: July 7, Monday, 9:02pm)

After 3 days, I got a text message from Zip Bus Srvs, the courier hired by Umobile to deliver the SIM. They asked me to call thru landline so we can discuss about the sim delivery. (SMS Date: July 10, Thursday, 4:21pm)

So I called and requested my SIM to be delivered the next day, July 11 at 10am. When she asked for my complete address, I told her that I will send it via text so she won’t have to write it down.

The next day, July 11, Friday, the sim didn’t arrive at the time I expected, which is 10am. The delivery guy arrived at 2pm. So late! I can’t complain, because it’s just a free sim.

Anyway, here it is, my Umobile SIM!

Umobile

Umobile is targeting the 15 to 35 age bracket or the ‘youth and yuppies’ sector in the Philippines. Customers get P0.50 worth of pre-paid load each time a mobile ad message is received. As of now, membership is by invite only.

Important things to know about ümobile

• Their prefix number is 0999.
• They have launched a website that will allow their customers to:

Change mobile number anytime, anywhere online. First change in number is FREE. Succeeding changes is only P50.00/change.

Send invite codes to friends.

• They have partnered with fring, a VoIP (www.fring.com). This enables customers to make VOIP calls, chat and interact with friends all over the world from his mobile to another PC and vice-versa. With ümobile, you only have to pay for data minutes.
• Soon, they will be offering a product that will allow you to make calls and send/receive texts via PC to another ümobile account and vice-versa with ümobile’s virtual phone service.

Subscriber benefits
Customers approved between June 1st and August 31st 2008 will enjoy the following benefits

• FREE ümobile SIM
• P100 free load for the very month for the next 6 months
• Earn rewards for every ad message received
• Enhanced communication with Fring (mobile VoIP)
• Nationwide coverage
• Earn rewards with every ad you see
• Mobile broadband surfing
• PC calling with Virtual Phone * (coming soon)

Service Rates

Voice Call

• ümobile to ümobile P5.00
• ümobile to other networks P7.00
• ümobile to landline P7.25
• IDD P10.00
• Video Call
• ümobile to ümobile 6.50

FringTM Call

• Date Rate P10.00/30mins.

SMS

• ümobile to ümobile P0.15
• ümobile to other networks P0.75
• ISMS P8.00

MMS

• ü to ü P0.50
• IMMS P15.00

FringTM Messaging

• Date Rate P10.00/30mins.