ümobile is the first ad-funded mobile network in Asia. The said mobile network will go live in June 2008. A launch party was held last Monday at Rockwell tent where other PTB bloggers such as Rain Contreras, Anton Diaz, Mike Abundo, and yours truly were present.
For the first 6 months of the service, each subscriber will receive a free P100 load for the first 6 months.
Services
Aside from being an ad-supported mobile network, it’s difference is that there is no option for postpaid subscription. Thus, everything will be prepaid.
- Voice Calls
- Video Calls
- SMS
- MMS
- IDD
- Mobile Internet
- and other value-added services
Where can I get the SIM card?
As of now, the mobile network is by invite. Those who have received invites may send an invitation to their family or friends. The SIM cards are free until August 2008 and it will be delivered right to your doorstep. In addition, ümobile will limit their subscriber reach to 10,000 additional subscribers per month.
Why are the rates low?
According to the press release:
ümobile partners with corporations who wish to advertise or create mobile-based campaigns for a particular brand. A portion of the revenues generated from a brand’s mobile marketing campaigns will be given back to the subscribers who then can purchase or make transactions for ümobile services or avail of a brand’s product offer such as freebies, discounts and other rewards.
Facility Sharing Agreement with Smart
They’ve entered into a facility sharing agreement with Smart so that subscribers may experience nationwide coverage on day 1.
Partnership with Fring
From the press release:
Balderrama added that part of delivering a better mobile experience is providing subscribers with mobile broadband access to the internet, the use of Mobile VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) through a partnership with Fring which will allow mobile to mobile calls via VoIP and PC to mobile and vice-versa, and live chat with Skype, MSN Messenger, Google Talk, ICQ, SIP, Twitter, Yahoo! and AIM.