Can't reach UM, can't reach my UM UK number, no reply to e-mail

[123456]

From United Mobile - is the end nigh for travel SIMs? - alexkinch.com | alexkinch.com :

United Mobile - is the end nigh for travel SIMs?

Posted by Alex on 4/21/09 • Categorized as Mobile News

It’s been an interesting few weeks in the world of travel SIM providers. If rumours are to be believed, United Mobile - one of the biggest (and longest established) providers of travel SIMs is in the throws of death - and already some of it’s competitors are trying to pick at the bones.

On Tuesday 7th April, Truphone-owned Sim4Travel registered unlted-mobile.com - a typo suspiciously close to the official United Mobile website of united-mobile.com. At the time of writing this entry, it was offering customers of ‘other’ travel SIM providers a free Sim4Travel SIM card: “Having problems with your travel SIM provider? You can’t make calls? You’re experiencing a poor service? Or simply, you just want peace of mind that you won’t be let down when you travel.”

Even more damning was a page found at www.sim4travel.com/um/ - which has since been taken down (but still available in Google’s cache) that went as far as to name United Mobile, by saying “Having problems with your Umited Mobile SIM? You can’t make calls? You’re experiencing a poor service? Or simply, you just want peace of mind that you won’t be let down when you travel.”

Meanwhile on Thursday 10th April Truphone issued a press release - which appears to have been swiftly withdrawn - trumpeting the same offer. A quick search of Google reveals that the largest German telecoms magazine Teltarif picked up on the story - which is translated into English via Google here.

Do Truphone know something we don’t? Perhaps. But their actions didn’t go unnoticed by United Mobile. An article in today’s print edition of Mobile News says that UM are to sue Truphone and Sim4travel for fraud. Both sides are quoted in the article. Firstly Sim4Travel’s Matt Rowntree:

“We have recently heard that global SIM provider United Mobile is having trouble supporting its customers. SIM4Travel would like to reassure all United Mobile customers that we can provide them with a continuation of service and would be happy to send them a replacement SIM card for free by first class post. Their remaining credit will be valid on our network.

“If the situation with United Mobile becomes more serious we will be more proactive in contacting their customers although we don’t want to be seen as vultures stealing their customers.”

United Mobile CEO Sven Donhuysen said: “It seems that SIM4Travel is really desperate. Otherwise I cannot explain their actions. What they are doing is fraud. We have our lawyers involved now.”

Meanwhile, United Mobile customers at various Internet forums are complaining that their SIM cards are no longer working. One poster at Flyertalk said: “I’m trying to use my United Mobile SIM card in Singapore and it isn’t working. I’ve used it in many other countries with no problems. This is the first time in several weeks though. I also notice big chunks of the United Mobile website are also down. You can’t access your account for a example. It’s a worrisome coincidence.” whilst another in a thread on Crunchbase posted: Just heard that United Mobile has gone out of business. Their assets have been frozen awaiting liquidation, there is no way the service will restart.”.

Meanwhile German-based Sunsim announced yesterday an offer for UM subscribers who can no longer use their SIM cards. The starter pack gives customers a new SIM card plus €15 of call credit for €14.95.

Both United Mobile and Sim4Travel rely on platforms hosted by and network connectivity provided by Channel Islands-based mobile operator Jersey Telecom.

[kupe]

Originally Posted by 123456

United Mobile - is the end nigh for travel SIMs?

Posted by Alex on 4/21/09 • Categorized as Mobile News

It’s been an interesting few weeks in the world of travel SIM providers.

LOL and for travel SIM users as well!

Great article... thank you.

As you may have seen in my other thread, I was in UM's Kloten office on April 15. The place looked nearly abandoned, but the fellow who answered the door was very helpful and gave no hint of imminent shutdown. I was there to get my balance transferred from my UM +423 to my UM +44. He did the transfer while I waited, we chatted for a moment, and then I left. And later that very day was when the +44 sims stopped working. ;(

Like everyone, I hope UM can return to the game, but also like everyone I've had to find an alternate means of roaming telecom- in my case Sim4Travel.

Kupe

[rfranzq]

Today, I tried calling my UM 423 number to see what would happen. My balance is 72cents and I have already mailed the SIM to someone.

Anyway, I call [using an address entry, I did not make a mistake dialing.] and get some music and then it becomes clear it is a phone sex line.

Fortunately, I did not give the number out to anyone!

[prion]

Originally Posted by rfranzq

Today, I tried calling my UM 423 number to see what would happen. My balance is 72cents and I have already mailed the SIM to someone.

Anyway, I call [using an address entry, I did not make a mistake dialing.] and get some music and then it becomes clear it is a phone sex line.

Fortunately, I did not give the number out to anyone!

I have also called my number 2 days ago (saturday) and it rang well.

I have come across what you describe when dialing via cheap voip routes.
Try one more time using a more expensive carrier

[sarunat]

Check UM website home page, now shows
-------------------

NEWSTICKER: Currently United Mobile is out of service
We are working on a solution and we will send you an email newsletter as soon as the cause has been resolved. In order to do so, we kindly ask you to keep your contact details updated in your personal MyAccount.

[simcardman]

I am new to posting here, but have been following this thread since my UM +44 card stopped working. The weird thing is this past February at a conference in Barcelona someone high up in United Mobile told me SIM4Travel was a white label of United Mobiles +44 service. I just want to know 2 things

1.) When did they split off from United Mobile?
2.) Did they have a “heads up” before the rest of us and if so when?

Also I know United Mobile had just launched a Dual IMSI SIM, meaning it was a SIM card with both a USA number and a +44 number. Last I saw GeoSIM was launching a similar product and has now revised its release date till sometime this month. I would love to know what all these companies know that we don’t know about United Mobile

[andy]

Originally Posted by simcardman

Also I know United Mobile had just launched a Dual IMSI SIM, meaning it was a SIM card with both a USA number and a +44 number.

They were testing a dual SIM, and showing it at the event you went to. It hadn't actually been launched yet.