Or, the war between Affordable vs Cheap rates.
Smart Communications bought out CURE because of their 3G license. Then it launched the "network" as a separate service known as uMobile - an ad-supported network that really never managed to get off the ground.
Now they are re-branding the same and calling the new "network" as Red Mobile.
"Network" is written in quotations because in reality it was, and still is using Smart's own network.
Red Mobile has an on-going campaign targeting price-sensitive consumers with very cheap prices: the suggested retail price of their prepaid (pay as you go) SIM card is 39 PHP (0.82 USD), intra-network calling rate is 0.50 PHP per minute (that's like a penny a minute in US dollars), and a 160-character SMS will also cost you the same. Internet browsing rates is 15 PHP ( 0.16 USD) for every 15 minutes.
There's also a catch with Red Mobile, they only works for 3G capable phones and only where 3G signal is available (coverage is good for urbanized areas but don't hold your breath.) Oh, and you should note the text below their rate page saying "Charging rates may change without prior notice."
And with a campaign tag like "Sulit ba talaga ang Unlimited?" every Juan and Juana knows they got their sights against the only network known for their unlimited services - Sun Cellular.
Sun Cellular offers their unlimited intra-network calls and SMS services for 350 PHP (7.4 USD) a month (postpaid) or P450 PHP (9.50 USD) a month (prepaid). For a month of unlimited SMS only, it's 150 PHP (3.2 USD) for pospaid and prepaid subscribers. Unlimited mobile Internet service starts at 999 PHP (21 USD) a month).
Their prepaid ala-carte service rates are even lower. Check out the prepaid rates.
So, how do these two stack up against each other?
| Red Mobile | Sun Cellular | |
| Unlimited Intra-network calling rate | n.a. | 350-450 per month |
| Unlimited Intra-network SMS rate | n.a. | 150 per month |
| Regular intra-network call rates | 0.5 per min. | 4-6 PHP per min., depending on plan. |
| Extra-network call rates | 6.5 per min. | 5 to 6.5 per min., depending on plan. |
| Regular intra-network SMS rates | 0.5 PHP per SMS | 0.5 to 1.0 PHP per SMS |
| Extra-network SMS rates, local | 1 PHP per SMS | 1 PHP per SMS |
| MMS | 0.5 PHP per MMS | 2 PHP per MMS |
| Mobile Internet rate | 7.50 PHP for every 15 mins | 10.0 PHP for every 30 mins. |
| Intra-network video calls | 0.5 per min. | n.a. |
| Extra-network video call rates | 6.5 per min. | n.a. |
| Network | 3G 2100 | GSM 1800, 2-2.5G |
| Phone | 3-G capable phones only. | Any GSM phone. |
| Notes: Prices in Philippine Pesos. One SMS is 160-characters long. |
Who wins? Well, it all boils down to your own usage pattern. Some would get more bang for their buck with Sun Cellular while for those who don't make long calls or often enough would be better off with Red Mobile. (Or, if you're a Globe/TM subscriber, their per second calling rates may offer better value.)
The 3G requirement of Red Mobile could be a deal breaker for some. Either they don't have a 3-G phone or 3G signal is simply unavailable. If you go to areas where 3G is not available, not only can you not call, other people cannot contact you too.
Round 1 score cards goes to Sun cellular 10-8.
Both fighters are still warming up. Sun, the defending champion, has put up a good defense but hasn't made any aggressive moves just yet. Red is trying to punch through the defense, but didn't deliver any knock-out punch - not even a punch close enough to hit the target.
