“By expanding the scope of our services to 2G handsets, more consumers among the estimated 14 to 16 million Filipino mobile phone users will enjoy the competitive rates offered by our network,” says Red Mobile Product Manager Darvin Sy Su.

Red Mobile is using the same telecommunication infrastructures and technology of SMART. This means that Red Mobile will be powered by 8, 477 cellsites.

Everyday, 200 studio audiences, called as Bingoers, will play and compete against the Solo Studio contestatant. The Bingoers can win 50,000 pesos for every game, while the Solo Studio contestant can win up to 1 million pesos. Home viewers will also have a chance to play either as Home Player or Text Player and can win 200,000 pesos.

To join as texter, text

PBN <last name>,<first name>/<age>/<gender>/<address> to 2366

P2.50/txt for Globe, TM,  Smart, Talk and Text
P2/txt for Sun Cellular

TxtCEB allows anyone to get updates on Cebu Pacific’s special flights and promos or book a Cebu Pacific flight through their cellphones (domestic bookings only). To start, here’s how:

For Globe, Touch Mobile subscribers, text

CEB FLIGHT or CEB HELP and send to 2982.

For Smart, Talk N’ Text and Addict Mobile subscribers, text

CEB to 2952

For Sun Cellular subscribers, text

CEB or CEB HELP and send to 2982

Then follow the SMS prompts. It only takes a minimum of 5 SMS messages to book a Cebu Pacific flight. You will be charged a minimal amount per text message received; P2.50 for Globe, Touch Mobile, Smart, Talk ‘N Text and Addict Mobile and P2.00 for Sun Cellular subscribers. Confirmed bookings cannot be paid via SMS. You still have to pay over the counter at any Cebu Pacific ticket office. You will be charged the fare confirmed by txtCEB at the date of ticket purchase.

Tests were conducted last year (Sept. 17 to Oct. 6, 2008) by NTC engineers on three cellular service operators, namely Smart Communications, Globe Telecom, and Sun Cellular to measure the quality of services rendered. They made 2,475 network-to-network calls per operator in 13 Metro Manila cities, as part of the tests.

Three areas were reviewed namely network accessibility (circuit switch), service accessibility (telephony), and call completion rate circuit switch (telephony), to measure the quality of service indicators.

Network accessibility (Circuit Switch). All three got perfect scores.
Globe 100%
Smart 100%
Sun 100%

Service Accessibility (Telephony). Globe got the highest mark.
Globe 97.98%
Smart 96.24%
Sun 83.02%

Call Completion Rate Circuit Switch (Telephony). Globe and Smart tied at 98.55%.
Globe 98.55%
Smart 98.55%
Sun 97.65%

Signal Strength
Smart 91.81%
Globe 86.58%
Sun 84.48%

Signal Quality
Globe 93.79%
Smart 93%
Sun 84.47%

Hand Over Success Rate
Smart 99.03%
Globe 98.27%
Sun 96.72%

Call Set-up Time (based on the 2,475 sample calls)
Globe 97.29%
Smart 95.76%
Sun 80.12%

In terms of blocked and dropped calls, a lower percentage is desirable to ensure higher quality of service and therefore, the operator with a lower percentage was given a higher ranking.

Blocked Calls (based on the 2,475 sample calls). Blocked calls are failed connection to the network due to unavailability of signal.
Globe 49 (1.99%)
Smart 93 (3.79%)
Sun 779 (17.05%)

Dropped Calls (based on the 2,475 sample calls). A call is considered dropped when the signal has been cut just a few seconds upon connection.
Globe 35 (1.42%)
Smart 35 (1.42%)
Sun 48 (1.95%)

Under the NTC’s circular on service performance standards for CMTS, the allowable drop call rate is 5 percent. NTC also noted that blocked and dropped calls are caused by network congestion and system failure.

In an interview, Smart Spokesman Ramon R. Isberto said a promotion that allows subscribers to make unlimited calls at night and send as many text messages as they can would not be made available from Dec. 23 to Dec. 25, and from Dec. 30 to Jan. 1.

Likewise, a similar promotion from Globe will not be made available on Dec. 24 and 25, and on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1, said Froilan M. Castelo, Globe’s regulatory division head.

This is to help prevent their networks from overloading at a time when most Filipinos greet their friends and relatives with Christmas greetings.

“What we are doing is managing our network, in case there are any serious obstructions [during the holidays],” Mr. Isberto said.

“We are not taking any chances. We want to protect the network from abuse,” Mr. Castelo said. “We want to avoid any congestion. We just want to clear the airwaves,” he added.

A billion text messages are sent locally everyday as estimated by both Smart and Globe. This can increase during the holidays as Filipinos greet their friends and relatives.

Plurk is similar to Twitter only that your updates (called plurks) and your friends’ are arranged in a timeline so your friends can easily view and comment on them. Plurks can be posted with qualifiers, which are one-word verbs used to represent a thought (ex. “feels”, “thinks”, “loves”, etc.). Its like an instant messenger / social networking / forum / micro-blogging service rolled into one.

An easier way to update your Plurk and Twitter is to use SMS or text messaging.

To start plurking via SMS, sign up first at phplurk.com. Then, register your PLURK account to their gateway by sending:

PREG <plurk username> <password>

To update your timeline, send either

PLURK <your update>

or

PLURK <qualifier> <your update>

Valid qualifiers:

loves, likes, shares, gives, hates, wants, wishes, has, will, asks, was, feels, thinks, says, is

mahal, ipinamamahagi, nagbibigay, kinasusuklam, gusto, naghahangad, nagtatanong, nararamdaman, iniisip, sinasabi, ay

To start twitting via SMS, sign up first at phtwitters.com. Then, register your TWITTER account to phtwitters.com, by sending:

REG <twitter username> <password>

To update your timeline, send

TWIT <your update>

To send a direct message, text

TWITD <username> <your message>

The gateway numbers to send to:

GLOBE – +63-916-4967171
SMART – +63-929-3632359
Update: SUN CELLULAR – +63-923-8852052

Call & Text Combo 10
10mins. of Sun-to-Sun calls
40 Sun-to-Sun texts
10 texts to other networks
valid for 1 day

CTC 10 and send to 223

Call & Text Combo 20
25mins. of Sun-to-Sun calls
80 Sun-to-Sun texts
25 texts to other networks
valid for 1 day

CTC 20 and send to 223

Text Unlimited 20
Unlimited Sun-to-Sun texting
valid for 2 days

TU 20 to 247

Text Unlimited 50
Unlimited Sun-to-Sun texting
1 hour voice calls
valid for 7 days

TU 50 to 247

Text Unlimited 150
Unlimited Sun-to-Sun texting
4 hours voice calls
valid for 30 days

TU 150 to 247

Globe Telecom

Unlimited Globe-to-Globe and Globe-to-Touch Mobile texting

Unlimited All Day Texting
Php 20 – unlimited texting for 1 day (until Oct 21, 2008)

Text UNLITXT20 to 2870

Php 40 – unlimited texting for 2 days (until Oct 21, 2008)

Text UNLITXT40 to 2870

Php 80 – unlimited texting for 5 days (until Oct 21, 2008)

Text UNLITXT80 to 2870

Unlimited Daytime Texting (8am to 4:59pm)
Php 15 – unlimited texting for 1 day (until Oct 21, 2008)

Text UNLITXTD15 to 2870

Php 30 – unlimited texting for 2 days (until Oct 21, 2008)

Text UNLITXTD30 to 2870

Unlimited Nighttime Texting (10pm to 7:59pm)
Php 10 – unlimited texting for 1 day (until Oct 21, 2008)

Text UNLITXTN10 to 2870

Php 20 – unlimited texting for 2 days (until Oct 21, 2008)

Text UNLITXTN20 to 2870

DTI# 2374 series of 2008

Smart Communications

ALLTEXT UNLI25
P25 = Unlimited texts SMART to SMART/Talk ‘N Text
& 10 texts to other networks
Promo runs until October 31, 2008.
Per DTI- NCR Permit No. 1920, Series of 2008

UNLI25 to 258

ALLTEXT 20
P20 = 100 texts SMART to SMART/Talk ‘N Text
& 10 texts to other networks
Promo runs until October 31, 2008.
Per DTI-NCR Permit No. 1918, Series of 2008.

Text AT20 to 2827

ALLTEXT 40
P40 = 200 texts SMART to SMART/Talk ‘N Text
& 20 texts to other networks
Promo runs until October 31, 2008.
Per DTI-NCR Permit No. 2046, Series of 2008.

Text AT40 to 2827

ALLTEXT50
P50 = 300 texts SMART to SMART/Talk ‘N Text
& 30 texts to other networks
Promo runs until October 31, 2008.
Per DTI-NCR Permit No. 2046, Series of 2008.

Text AT50 to 2827

Smart Money is the world’s first electronic wallet card linked to a mobile phone which won the 2001 GSM Awards for “Most Innovative GSM Wireless Service for Customers”. It was also cited as the “Best Product Innovation” award at the MasterCard Marketing Awards in Australia. [from smart.com.ph]

To activate Smart Money:

1. Text MONEY to 343
2. Enter desired W-PIN (6-digits)
3. Re-enter W-PIN, press OK
4. Choose ‘Get Account’ press OK
5. Select BDO
6. Wait for your confirmation message

After activation, you can now apply for a Smart Money MasterCard. Click here on how to apply.

Once you get your card, you can now link your Smart Money MasterCard to your mobile phone. Only a maximum of two (2) Smart Money MasterCards/Accounts may be linked.

Go to your nearest Smart Wireless Center or Smart Money Accredited Outlet to load money into your Smart Money Account.

To start sending Smart Money,

1. Go to Smart Menu, select Smart Money
2. Select Transfer, press OK
3. Select Others, press OK
4. Enter your beneficiary’s Smart Money Number, press OK
5. You will receive a prompt message, press OK
6. Select source of funds, press OK
7. Enter amount you would like to send, press OK
8. You will receive a prompt message to confirm your transaction, press OK
9. Enter W-PIN, press OK
10. You will receive a confirmation message of your transaction
11. Beneficiary will also receive a confirmation message instantly

To buy load using Smart Money:

1. Go to Smart Menu, select Smart Money
2. Select Reload Buddy, press OK
3. Select Others, press OK
4. Enter Mobile Number, press OK
5. You will receive a prompt message, press OK
6. Select source of funds, press OK
7. Select amount, press OK
8. You will receive a prompt message confirming the transaction, press OK
9. Enter W-PIN, press OK
10. You will receive an SMS confirmation for every successful transaction
11. Beneficiary will also receive an SMS notification instantly

To pay bills using Smart Money:

1. Go to Smart Menu, select Smart Money
2. Select Pay Bills, press OK
3. Select Others, press OK
4. Enter Biller Code, press OK
5. Enter Bill Account Number (please refer to your billing statement), press OK
6. You will receive a prompt message, press OK
7. Select source of funds, press OK
8. Enter amount you would like to pay, press OK
9. You will receive a prompt message confirming the transaction, press OK
10. Enter W-PIN, press OK
11. Subscriber will receive an SMS confirmation of his transaction

To purchase at selected establishments using Smart Money, text

<Store Code> <AMOUNT> and send to 270

You can also use your Smart Money MasterCard to pay at any MasterCard establishments worldwide.

Smart Money has a maximum withdrawable amount of Php 20,000 per day. The maximum amount of money you may transfer per day is Php 10,000.

1 vs 100. To register to become a studio contestant, text

MOB <name/age/gender/address/landline number> to 2366 (Globe, TM, Sun Cellular, Php 2.50/text) or 231 (Smart, Talk n Text, Addict Mobile, Php 2.00/text)

Go Bingo. Requires a ‘Go Bingo scratch card’ to join as homepartner.

GOBINGO <unique textart 1-50> <code> / <name age gender address> to 2344 (Globe, TM, Sun Cellular, Php 2.50/text) or 367 (Smart, Talk n Text, Addict Mobile, Php 2.00/text)

Kapamilya, Deal or No Deal

To register to become a studio contestant, text

DEAL <name/age/gender/address/landline number> to 2331 (Globe, TM, Sun Cellular, Php 2.50/text) or 231 (Smart, Talk n Text, Addict Mobile, Php 2.00/text)

To join Deal or No Deal as homepartner, text

ABS DEAL to 2366, if you think the banker’s final offer is higher than the amount in the chosen briefcase. (For Globe subscribers only, Php 15/download)

If you think otherwise, text

ABS NODEAL to 2366 (For Globe subscribers only, Php 15/download)

When joining as home partner, texters will be asked to register to earn an entry and qualify for the text promo.

DEAL REG <name/age/gender/address> to 2366 (For Globe subscribers only)

Pilipinas, Game KNB? To register to become a studio contestant, text

GKNB STUDIO <name/age/address> to 2331 (Globe, TM, Sun Cellular, Php 2.50/text) or 231 (Smart, Talk n Text, Addict Mobile, Php 2.00/text)

Taktak Mo o Tatakbo (Eat Bulaga segment). To join as homepartner, text

EB <letter of answer> / <name age gender address> to 2344 (For Globe subscribers only, Php 2.50/text)

The Singing Bee. To join as homepartner, text

BEE <letter of answer> to 2366 (For Globe subscribers only, Php 15/download)

Whammy! Push Your Luck. To join as homepartner, text

PLAY to 4627 (Globe, TM, Sun Cellular, Php 2.50/text) or 367 (Smart, Talk n Text, Addict Mobile, Php 2.00/text)

Wheel of Fortune

To register to become a studio contestant, text

STUDIO WOF <name/age/gender/address> to 2366 (Globe, TM, Sun Cellular, Php 2.50/text) or 231 (Smart, Talk n Text, Addict Mobile, Php 2.00/text)

To join as homepartner, text

WOF <answer> to 2366 (Php 15/download)

Wowowee. To register to become a studio contestant, text

WSTUDIO <name/age/gender/address> to 2331 (Globe, TM, Sun Cellular, Php 2.50/text) or 231 (Smart, Talk n Text, Addict Mobile, Php 2.00/text)

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.