Photo by Norbert AquendeI admit. Although UMobile sent me free 100-peso loads monthly for 6 consecutive months, I was really not that happy at all. For one, I have been a an ever-loyal Globe Handyphone subscriber ever since the advent of GSM and the popularity of prepaid phones and texting back in 1999. Okay, I know prepaid phones were Smart’s idea through their “BillCrusher” scheme which definitely came earlier. But anyway, what I’m trying to say is that the first time I signed-up for a postpaid plan, in 2000 I think, I’ve always been with Globe. And I’m still with Globe until now. I did try Smart prepaid for a while solely because I’ve always wanted to try new things, and at that time I temporarily switched to Smart. I did so because of SmartMoney. It was shining, shimmering, splendid that time and the idea of a new mobile-based money service seemed like an interesting feature to toy with. So yes, Smart was first, yet again, to introduce mobile money/payment service. But since most of my family and friends were on Globe, a switch-back became inevitable, specially when I realized that I have no “real need” for that service at that time. More of my SmartMoney/Globe G-Cash experience in a separate post right here.

I was pretty contented with Globe for quite some time and didn’t feel the need for a secondary SIM/number. Enter UMobile. This new network, although wholly-owned by Smart, belonged to a network of it’s own — CURE. It’s license was purely for the 3G band. It was very promising. It had a niche subscriber base. It was sort of a “by invitation only” SIM catering to a certain age bracket, teens to early thirties if I’m not mistaken. It was the very first ad-sponsored SIM in the country and in Asia as well. The scheme is that they’ll send you text-based ads and in turn, you get free 100-peso load monthly for the first six months, etc. More of my UMobile experience in this separate post. Anyway, it all sounds fine and dandy, right? Well, not really. The thing is, it is such a pain in the @$% for people whose friends are mainly Globe subscribers. I don’t know what sort of issue they have with Globe, but one thing is for sure — I can make calls from a UMobile SIM/number to a Globe number but I can’t do the same vice versa! :( It’s heart-breaking actually. Because of that “phenomenon”, I haven’t given much thought to my UMobile SIM, even the phone to which it was inserted went on empty battery for weeks on end. My free load for the recent month was never used. So much for fun, I told myself. Sometime November though, when I turned the phone on, there was no signal anymore. I thought it was just some sort of a network glitch so I ignored it. Then came the intriguing TV ads about Red Mobile. And researching for more details about it made it clear to me that Red Mobile is the NEW UMobile. Same company, newer features, newer rates. I have yet to receive my new Red Mobile SIM though. I heard that existing UMobile subscribers will get Red Mobile SIM loaded with 200-peso load. Sounds nice. I have yet to see and experience if it actually “feels” better this time. Will let you know when I get my new SIM. I will definitely post recommendations/reviews if it’s worth the switch. :) In the meantime, I will content myself with this postpaid Globe SIM.