CallBlue switching carriers

Muzaffar · **Message from CallBlue GSM -** 08-05-2007, 16:57

It has come to our attention that there has been some confusion over the current situation regarding CallBlue GSM.

We would like to clarify that CallBlue GSM is separate and has never been a partner of GT-Sim, CallKey or any GSM company. We were testing our product and service hosted primarily by Isle of Man MANX network.

However, we have now left MANX to set up our own proprietary network as a complete mobile roaming network service. This new, groundbreaking service is due to be launched this summer.

In the meantime, we would like to take the time to address some of the issues raised by posters on this forum in detail:

1) Some posters have received two contradicting SMSs when testing their CallBlue sim card; one from GT-Sim telling them to continue with the service via a CallBlue/GT-sim website, and one from CallBlue telling them to cease the usage of that particular sim card.
The reality is CallBlue has terminated its service until the re-launch in the summer, and has not sent any SMSs to encourage its existing customers to continue with its usage. Another GSM company has simply taken advantage of the temporary shutdown of the CallBlue service and has since claimed to act on behalf of CallBlue. We would like to reassure existing customers of CallBlue that their remaining credit will be transferred onto the new sim cards when issued this summer.

2) Some posters have also raised concerns about the lack of customer support and the current CallBlue website.
Our telephone customer support has temporarily closed as we switch to our own new network. The CallBlue website has remained unchanged and customers can visit the website to view the current situation of the company and to learn more about our future plans. Customers can send an email with queries to CallBlue and a member of our helpdesk will respond within 24 hours. We also urge customers to email their old CallBlue number, along with an address that the new CallBlue GSM sim card can be sent to for free.

3) Another issue mentioned is the inconsistent call rates listed and that there is no advance warning on rate changes.
All GSM companies should have an advance warning on rate changes in order to pass on the information to its customers. However, sometimes this may not be the case, and this is a particular problem if the company does not control the network that they’re using. The new CallBlue GSM network will have complete control over the technical infrastructure and thus call quality, call rates and billing.

Thank you in advance for your understanding. When we announce our next moves in the coming weeks, we hope very much that you will lend us your support.

Muzaffar Ahmed
CallBlue GSM
mahmed@callblue.com

alexmore · **new callblue customer -** 09-05-2007, 15:22

Ahmed,
thanks for your news.
Who write these 3 lines is a new customer of callblue, who was left in the middle.
I ordered march 15, 2 callblue sims and never arrived at all.
Never have from CC reply about my situation.
Finally, 100$ are in your pocket (confirmed from your credit card provider).
Can you pls post some notes to give me advice of what to do?
1- have my money back.
2- have the services up and running.

Thanks.
Alex Morelli

ps. sorry to others in the forum for outing my personal situation....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muzaffar

It has come to our attention that there has been some confusion over the current situation regarding CallBlue GSM.

We would like to clarify that CallBlue GSM is separate and has never been a partner of GT-Sim, CallKey or any GSM company. We were testing our product and service hosted primarily by Isle of Man MANX network.

However, we have now left MANX to set up our own proprietary network as a complete mobile roaming network service. This new, groundbreaking service is due to be launched this summer.

In the meantime, we would like to take the time to address some of the issues raised by posters on this forum in detail:

1) Some posters have received two contradicting SMSs when testing their CallBlue sim card; one from GT-Sim telling them to continue with the service via a CallBlue/GT-sim website, and one from CallBlue telling them to cease the usage of that particular sim card.
The reality is CallBlue has terminated its service until the re-launch in the summer, and has not sent any SMSs to encourage its existing customers to continue with its usage. Another GSM company has simply taken advantage of the temporary shutdown of the CallBlue service and has since claimed to act on behalf of CallBlue. We would like to reassure existing customers of CallBlue that their remaining credit will be transferred onto the new sim cards when issued this summer.

2) Some posters have also raised concerns about the lack of customer support and the current CallBlue website.
Our telephone customer support has temporarily closed as we switch to our own new network. The CallBlue website has remained unchanged and customers can visit the website to view the current situation of the company and to learn more about our future plans. Customers can send an email with queries to CallBlue and a member of our helpdesk will respond within 24 hours. We also urge customers to email their old CallBlue number, along with an address that the new CallBlue GSM sim card can be sent to for free.

3) Another issue mentioned is the inconsistent call rates listed and that there is no advance warning on rate changes.
All GSM companies should have an advance warning on rate changes in order to pass on the information to its customers. However, sometimes this may not be the case, and this is a particular problem if the company does not control the network that they’re using. The new CallBlue GSM network will have complete control over the technical infrastructure and thus call quality, call rates and billing.

Thank you in advance for your understanding. When we announce our next moves in the coming weeks, we hope very much that you will lend us your support.

Muzaffar Ahmed
CallBlue GSM
mahmed@callblue.com

billym · 10-05-2007, 23:17

Dear Muzaffar Ahmed

Why is it that you can post such a reasoned report on a forum but you do not have the decency to reply to e mail sent to you by a customer who has had no phone since 15 April, & who has credit on the sim (which we can only assume has gone into someones pocket).

Why is it I cant get your permission to take my phone number to a new provider a descision I made due to the lack of information & contact from yourself?

You don't answer texts, email enquiries or phone calls, no customer service.
There are many other service providers & I hope they will be used by others before yourselves.

Yours
VERY DISSATISFIED

BILLYM

(Sorry to forum users for this personal letter but this is obviously the only way to get MR Muzaffar Ahmed to hear our complaints)

snidely · 11-05-2007, 18:08

Billym -
One point I .can answer - Most, if not all, international SIM card sellers are simply resellers and don't own the numbers. Thus they can't give you the number.
I am sure United Mobile, Travel SIM's various outlets, etc. don't make it possible to take your number somewhere else.

I just went to CB's web site. Explanation of their temporary problems seemed clear to me.

I went thru something like this a couple of times with other services.
1. When DSL first was announced in Ca. years ago, we had to pick an ISP. The install was handled by the phone co. Since I was an early adapter, 6 people came out, mainly as a training session.
A year later, the ISP I had chosen went out of business.
2. When we had to pick an LD carrier, all was fine for years until they suddenly went out of business. I didn't lose any money, but suddenly had to instruct everyone how to use a "1010" dial around code to place LD calls during the couple days it took to change to a diff. LD provider.

In your case the provider is offering to, in effect, make you whole. The logistics in trying to simply refund relatively small airtime credits to numerous customers would be prohibitively expensive.

...mike

billym · 11-05-2007, 22:30

Thanks for your input snidely.

I bought my callblue sim from a company called 0044.co.uk.
They have been generous with their customer service & have replaced the callblue sim even though they were under no obligation to do so.
They informed me that callblue will not release my number to them so i can continue to use it.
So, I am stuck, you tell me that callblue might not own the number but 0044 tell me that callblue will not release it - what is the truth?

I cannot get any reponse from Callblue to my enquiries they have left me without a working sim, Do they expect me to wait until they get their act together?

Quote:

I just went to CB's web site. Explanation of their temporary problems seemed clear to me.

Then please explain them to me.

I had credit on my sim, they pulled the plug on me on 15th April & expected me to be without a phone until sometime in June - NOT ACCEPTABLE.
They do not reply to my e mails. Why?

All I want as a customer is to be kept informed & to be given the service I would reasonable expect. As far as I am concerned Callblue has failed to deliver for me.

Billym

bbob · 15-05-2007, 13:13

From everything I can read the situation looks like Call blue is out of business for the moment.

customers that are using their numbers are stuck as they are switching carriers to setup their "own" network.

The question is do they really setup their own network or are the just looking for another company from which they buy theirs services.

To me the company is not very serious. They discontinue their operation and customers are left in the dark for several month's untill they have their own network going.

A serious company would start their own network and once this works only than discontinue service on the old network so that customers can change easily.

crossag · **CallBlue -** 19-05-2007, 18:37

CallBlue have a parent agent, Global Termination, who has been attempting to allow existing CallBlue users to transfer their contracts directly to them and therefore retain their numbers, credits etc. 0044, a subagent of CallBlue for some of it's customers have also been trying to do this but by the issue of a new SIM with the same number on.

CallBlue sit in the middle of this having cut service without a replacement immediately to hand and therefore have let down their customers. The statement that they have nothing to do with CallKey or GT and were only using the 'Manx' network as a test is not correct and I can say this with authority as a co founder of CallKey. However, you should note that the company they are referring to is actually CallBlue GSM and not CallBlue - I think there may be some significance to this subtlety.

I cannot comment on why the move was made by CallBlue or give you any advice on the use of any brand, but I can say that we, at CallKey, are certainly a little mystified and confused as are many users. CallKey, GT and 0044 have done everything they are able to assist the continuity of use and will continue to do so in defense of our own brands.

crossag · 19-05-2007, 18:52

I think you need to reconsider the statements made in here or be very much more specific about the issues you are referring to. Although we do not have a direct relationship, the cards that CallBlue have been using eminate at source from CallKey and all rate changes etc that go down the chain of distribution are subject to contractual notice periods that are way in excess of the industry norms for telephony.

From my understanding the only SMS messages that have been sent to users are from CallBlue's arent agent trying to maintain continuity for users and the duplicate SIM cards come from a subagent that is trying to do the same (with your permission) for their own customers.

I would also ask if there is a significance that your company is now called CallBlue GSM and not CallBlue - is it in fact the same company?

The use of these forums should not be to spread propaganda but to be a constructive method for discussion to make this space better, I believe that the spirit of this is being hyjacked for commercial 'point scoring'.

Kurt Roosen
Managing Director
CallKey Group

albino · **Covers blown -** 22-05-2007, 13:37

Kurt you sly bugger Crossag all this time! Been righting the wrongs all this time.

Covers blown, you will need another name lest the grumblers hunt you down!

Where did you ever get the name Crossag?

albino · 22-05-2007, 13:38

I need a thesaurus ... too many "all this time" cropping up

	(#1)
Muzaffar (Offline) Junior Member Newbie Posts: 2 Join Date: 08 May 2007 Country:	Message from CallBlue GSM - 08-05-2007, 16:57 It has come to our attention that there has been some confusion over the current situation regarding CallBlue GSM. We would like to clarify that CallBlue GSM is separate and has never been a partner of GT-Sim, CallKey or any GSM company. We were testing our product and service hosted primarily by Isle of Man MANX network. However, we have now left MANX to set up our own proprietary network as a complete mobile roaming network service. This new, groundbreaking service is due to be launched this summer. In the meantime, we would like to take the time to address some of the issues raised by posters on this forum in detail: 1) Some posters have received two contradicting SMSs when testing their CallBlue sim card; one from GT-Sim telling them to continue with the service via a CallBlue/GT-sim website, and one from CallBlue telling them to cease the usage of that particular sim card. The reality is CallBlue has terminated its service until the re-launch in the summer, and has not sent any SMSs to encourage its existing customers to continue with its usage. Another GSM company has simply taken advantage of the temporary shutdown of the CallBlue service and has since claimed to act on behalf of CallBlue. We would like to reassure existing customers of CallBlue that their remaining credit will be transferred onto the new sim cards when issued this summer. 2) Some posters have also raised concerns about the lack of customer support and the current CallBlue website. Our telephone customer support has temporarily closed as we switch to our own new network. The CallBlue website has remained unchanged and customers can visit the website to view the current situation of the company and to learn more about our future plans. Customers can send an email with queries to CallBlue and a member of our helpdesk will respond within 24 hours. We also urge customers to email their old CallBlue number, along with an address that the new CallBlue GSM sim card can be sent to for free. 3) Another issue mentioned is the inconsistent call rates listed and that there is no advance warning on rate changes. All GSM companies should have an advance warning on rate changes in order to pass on the information to its customers. However, sometimes this may not be the case, and this is a particular problem if the company does not control the network that they’re using. The new CallBlue GSM network will have complete control over the technical infrastructure and thus call quality, call rates and billing. Thank you in advance for your understanding. When we announce our next moves in the coming weeks, we hope very much that you will lend us your support. Muzaffar Ahmed CallBlue GSM mahmed@callblue.com

	(#3)
billym (Offline) Junior Member Newbie Posts: 3 Join Date: 14 Apr 2007 Country:	10-05-2007, 23:17 Dear Muzaffar Ahmed Why is it that you can post such a reasoned report on a forum but you do not have the decency to reply to e mail sent to you by a customer who has had no phone since 15 April, & who has credit on the sim (which we can only assume has gone into someones pocket). Why is it I cant get your permission to take my phone number to a new provider a descision I made due to the lack of information & contact from yourself? You don't answer texts, email enquiries or phone calls, no customer service. There are many other service providers & I hope they will be used by others before yourselves. Yours VERY DISSATISFIED BILLYM (Sorry to forum users for this personal letter but this is obviously the only way to get MR Muzaffar Ahmed to hear our complaints)

	(#4)
snidely (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Expert Posts: 451 Join Date: 09 May 2005 Location: Berkeley, California and Miami Country:	11-05-2007, 18:08 Billym - One point I .can answer - Most, if not all, international SIM card sellers are simply resellers and don't own the numbers. Thus they can't give you the number. I am sure United Mobile, Travel SIM's various outlets, etc. don't make it possible to take your number somewhere else. I just went to CB's web site. Explanation of their temporary problems seemed clear to me. I went thru something like this a couple of times with other services. 1. When DSL first was announced in Ca. years ago, we had to pick an ISP. The install was handled by the phone co. Since I was an early adapter, 6 people came out, mainly as a training session. A year later, the ISP I had chosen went out of business. 2. When we had to pick an LD carrier, all was fine for years until they suddenly went out of business. I didn't lose any money, but suddenly had to instruct everyone how to use a "1010" dial around code to place LD calls during the couple days it took to change to a diff. LD provider. In your case the provider is offering to, in effect, make you whole. The logistics in trying to simply refund relatively small airtime credits to numerous customers would be prohibitively expensive. ...mike Make use of T-M's UMA/wifi free calling from any place in the world with access to wifi. I use an LG G6, wife an S7) A/o Oct 20, 2013 no need for intl prepaid as T-Mobile U.S. includes voice roaming at 20¢/min (in and out)., unlimited text (in and out), and unlimited data in 140+ countries. My Plan -[6 lines] U.S. T-Mobile unlimited minutes (incoming and outgoing), unlimited text, fast data on each line. that $145/mo. total! . (In U.S. no surcharge for calling a cell.) If a line exceeds 2G of data in a month, pay $10 more for that line. [That only happens a couple times/year.

	(#6)
bbob (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Expert Posts: 499 Join Date: 20 Feb 2007 Country:	15-05-2007, 13:13 From everything I can read the situation looks like Call blue is out of business for the moment. customers that are using their numbers are stuck as they are switching carriers to setup their "own" network. The question is do they really setup their own network or are the just looking for another company from which they buy theirs services. To me the company is not very serious. They discontinue their operation and customers are left in the dark for several month's untill they have their own network going. A serious company would start their own network and once this works only than discontinue service on the old network so that customers can change easily.

	(#7)
crossag (Offline) Junior Member Amateur Member Posts: 14 Join Date: 20 Apr 2006 Country:	CallBlue - 19-05-2007, 18:37 CallBlue have a parent agent, Global Termination, who has been attempting to allow existing CallBlue users to transfer their contracts directly to them and therefore retain their numbers, credits etc. 0044, a subagent of CallBlue for some of it's customers have also been trying to do this but by the issue of a new SIM with the same number on. CallBlue sit in the middle of this having cut service without a replacement immediately to hand and therefore have let down their customers. The statement that they have nothing to do with CallKey or GT and were only using the 'Manx' network as a test is not correct and I can say this with authority as a co founder of CallKey. However, you should note that the company they are referring to is actually CallBlue GSM and not CallBlue - I think there may be some significance to this subtlety. I cannot comment on why the move was made by CallBlue or give you any advice on the use of any brand, but I can say that we, at CallKey, are certainly a little mystified and confused as are many users. CallKey, GT and 0044 have done everything they are able to assist the continuity of use and will continue to do so in defense of our own brands.

	(#8)
crossag (Offline) Junior Member Amateur Member Posts: 14 Join Date: 20 Apr 2006 Country:	19-05-2007, 18:52 I think you need to reconsider the statements made in here or be very much more specific about the issues you are referring to. Although we do not have a direct relationship, the cards that CallBlue have been using eminate at source from CallKey and all rate changes etc that go down the chain of distribution are subject to contractual notice periods that are way in excess of the industry norms for telephony. From my understanding the only SMS messages that have been sent to users are from CallBlue's arent agent trying to maintain continuity for users and the duplicate SIM cards come from a subagent that is trying to do the same (with your permission) for their own customers. I would also ask if there is a significance that your company is now called CallBlue GSM and not CallBlue - is it in fact the same company? The use of these forums should not be to spread propaganda but to be a constructive method for discussion to make this space better, I believe that the spirit of this is being hyjacked for commercial 'point scoring'. Kurt Roosen Managing Director CallKey Group

	(#9)
albino (Offline) Member Advanced Member Posts: 52 Join Date: 04 Feb 2006 Country:	Covers blown - 22-05-2007, 13:37 Kurt you sly bugger Crossag all this time! Been righting the wrongs all this time. Covers blown, you will need another name lest the grumblers hunt you down! Where did you ever get the name Crossag?

	(#10)
albino (Offline) Member Advanced Member Posts: 52 Join Date: 04 Feb 2006 Country:	22-05-2007, 13:38 I need a thesaurus ... too many "all this time" cropping up