united mobile sms issue with tmobile USA

[snaimon]

Originally Posted by herkdrvr

Why would T-Mobile block +423 numbers? I don't doubt your story, it just seems odd. Anyway, maybe the answer is to adios UM for another prepaid?

I was told back in Spring when I first investigated this that it was FRAUD. There are several other countries that are "blacklisted." NO big ones, however.

I really don't understand how UM can work. How can they offer FREE INBOUND to all those countries and still persuade their roaming partners to go along with the deal? If say T-Mobile Germany were getting 0 from allowing the SIMs to roam, why would T-Mo Germany allow them to roam? I conclude that T-Mo Germany is getting some portion of the termination fee. On the other hand I believe T-Mo Germany (and I would suspect the parent has passed some policies on down to the subsidiaries) would like to drive UM out of business. Therefore, they make it quite impossible for anyone in US to be contacted via their UM SIM.

BTW, as late as Sept 2006, there was no problem.

Stan

[AndreA]

Originally Posted by snaimon

I really don't understand how UM can work. How can they offer FREE INBOUND to all those countries and still persuade their roaming partners to go along with the deal? If say T-Mobile Germany were getting 0 from allowing the SIMs to roam, why would T-Mo Germany allow them to roam? I conclude that T-Mo Germany is getting some portion of the termination fee.

The game is easy. UM pays the use of FL1's network, simply they have a termination fee higher than the cost of international roaming.

[snaimon]

Originally Posted by AndreA

The game is easy. UM pays the use of FL1's network, simply they have a termination fee higher than the cost of international roaming.

And the high termination fees cause all carriers to increase their rates to +423 663 #. I tried MCI this weekend and with my calling card. After entering the # the friendly voice announced the rate would be $1.18 per minute. Needless to say I hung up before letting it ring.

I also tried dialing with Voicestick. When I do that their system tells me my UM # is not a valid phone number. I left them a voicemail and will probably have to follow up with another call.

Stan

[MATHA531]

Originally Posted by snaimon

And the high termination fees cause all carriers to increase their rates to +423 663 #. I tried MCI this weekend and with my calling card. After entering the # the friendly voice announced the rate would be $1.18 per minute. Needless to say I hung up before letting it ring.

I also tried dialing with Voicestick. When I do that their system tells me my UM # is not a valid phone number. I left them a voicemail and will probably have to follow up with another call.

Stan

Good luck with emails to voicestick...I have written them several times concerning being charged for a 5 minute call to an Isle of Man sim when the phone was hung up before the call was completed.

I have sent the e mail 3 times and they have ignored it. I have called on their number and told all customer service reps were busy and to leave a message and the call would shortly be returned. I am still waiting.

Somebody from voicestick used to participate in this forum. He or she seems to have disppeared.

They are a bunch of rip off agents...this thing of being charged for a 5 minute call they've been aware of for almost a year and they've made no effort to clean up their act.

Unfortunately I must recommend not to use them.

[snaimon]

I did manage to speak with someone at there support # -- this was another day on another topic altogether. All of my previous emails had been ignored.

Agree they should fix the problems if they expect to be around long.

I do have a bit under $5 remaining and retrieving voicemails via internet while I am away is good.

Stan