Sun Cellular’s Call and Text International SIM allows anyone to text their loved ones abroad for only P1 per text message.

This SMS rate applies to 20 countries namely: USA, Canada, Singapore, Hong Kong, United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Macau, Japan, Qatar, Brunei, Guam, Hawaii, Oman, Cayman Island, Cyprus, Turkey, Northern Marianas Island, Jamaica, Bahamas & Puerto Rico.

Image souce: Promdi Tarlac

Important things to know about Red Mobile:

• Red Mobile SIM is now available on selected retail outlets for P 39.
• Prefix number is 0938. You cannot have your mobile numbers customized anymore.
• Cost of voice calls per minute, text, and MMS is P 0.50 (Red Mobile to Red Mobile)
  
• A 3G mobile phone is required. You will need to set the network settings on your 3G handset to 3G / Dual mode or UMTS mode. If you’re looking for a cheap 3G phone to use with Red Mobile, try LG KU250.

To activate your Red Mobile’s 3G / MMS settings, text

RED <handset model> to 9969

Service Rates

Voice Call

• Red Mobile to Red Mobile P0.50/min
• Red Mobile to other networks P6.50/min

SMS

• Red Mobile to Red Mobile P0.50/text
• Red Mobile to other networks P0.75/text

MMS

• Red Mobile to Red Mobile P0.50/MMS

Video Calls

• Red Mobile to Red Mobile P0.50/min
• Red Mobile to other networks P6.50/min

Mobile Internet

• WAP Browsing P7.50/15 mins

This is my Red Mobile SIM. I bought it from a small store somewhere in Alabang-Las Pinas area.

First, I sent an email to ?mobile Customer Service (customerservice [at] umobile.com.ph) and asked for an invite code. (July 2, Wednesday, 4:30pm)

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

We’re so happy that you want to be part of our ?mobile 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 ?mobile:

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 ?mobile 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 ?mobile subscriber.

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

(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 ?mobile. As part of the ?mobile 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 ?mobile 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 (?mobile), is an ad-funded mobile service owned by Smart Communications, that will be offering free load to its subscribers that agree to receive advertisements on their cell phones. There was already a similar service in Europe called Blyk, but Umobile is the first and only ad-funded mobile service provider in the Philippines and rest of Asia.

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 ?mobile

• 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 ?mobile, 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 ?mobile account and vice-versa with ?mobile’s virtual phone service.

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

• FREE ?mobile 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

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

FringTM Call

• Date Rate P10.00/30mins.

SMS

• ?mobile to ?mobile P0.15
• ?mobile to other networks P0.75
• ISMS P8.00

MMS

• ? to ? P0.50
• IMMS P15.00

FringTM Messaging

• Date Rate P10.00/30mins.