racoma.com.phJ. Angelo Racoma on technology, economics, writing, problogging, and getting things done

Last Sunday, I wrote about the different “unlimited” calling and
texting schemes being offered by Philippine mobile operators. 
Just yesterday, a former officemate told me about some gripes he had
with Smart’s 25/8 scheme.  Yes, Smart is the latest to enter the
unlimited craze with its 25/8, an obvious play at the 24/7 scheme by
Sun Cellular.

My friend actually signed up to have his SIM converted to a “multi-line” SIM, so he can have an
extra prepaid number, the primary line being
post-paid.  As soon as his prepaid account was activated, he tried to sign up for unlimited calls, but he got an
automated response that the system was busy, and suggesting that he instead resgister using unlimited text, in the meantime.  So this is just what he did, quite successfully.

But when my friend tried to register for unlimited calls a few hours after, he got an automated response that he is already using unlimited text; hence he has to wait for expiry before being able to register for unlimited calls.

Indeed, checking with the 25/8 FAQ page:

Can I register in both SMART 258 Unlimited Call and Unlimited Text simultaneously?

No,
you will not be allowed to register in both services simultaneously.
You may choose one from two options, Unlimited Calls or Unlimited Text.
If you are registered in one, say Unlimited Text, your existing
registration must expire first before you can avail of the other one or
vice versa.

What?  So the two services are mutually exclusive?  This is
crappy service, IMHO.  And I thought Smart claims that with their
unlimited scheme, subscribers always have a choice whether to avail
either the unlimited scheme or the “premium” (i.e. regular)
services.  But choosing between unlimited calls and text is such a
hassle, IMHO.  I wonder why Smart chose to implement the service this way?  Is it too complicated to design a system allowing for simultaneous unlimited calls and SMS?

Freedom of choice just went down the drain for those enrolled in either 25/8 plan.

So it’s indeed unlimited calls OR text, unlike Sun’s 24/7, where you can now have either unlimited calls AND text or just unlimited text.

Sorry, Smart.  The concept is good, but the implementation sucks.

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