ABS-CBNmobile SIM Review

EDIT (March 6, 2015): This blog post is from 2013 and it maybe no longer reflected to the current version of ABS-CBNmobile so I won't edit this blog post anymore.

ABS-CBNmobile logo.
SOURCE: One Design PH/Google Images

ABS-CBNmobile is the another mobile network in the Philippines. It operates under the same network infrastructure of Globe Telecom. Last May 2013, ABS-CBN Convergence (owner of ABS-CBNmobile brand and a subsidiary of ABS-CBN Corporation) have signed a network-sharing agreement with Globe to create a new mobile brand, ABS-CBNmobile. They planned to launch it in early September last year but it delayed due to operational issues and they finally launched it last November for the benefit of the Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) victims by giving them 100,000 ABS-CBNmobile SIM cards to the survivors.

So much for that, so let's start the review! :)

Unboxing (or I should say 'Unpacking'!)

I bought this SIM card from a mobile phone retailer at Harrison Plaza last December 20, 2013. It's suggested retail price is only Php30.00 but a mobile retailer priced it at Php50.00 instead.

Inside the package, there a SIM card itself and a user guide for registering some promos like Kapamilya Online.

The SIM Card

This SIM card uses the regular standard SIM card but it has its own micro SIM cut-out so you can insert it on the most micro SIM phones like iPhone 4, Nokia Asha 501 and some Android phones.

After I opened it, I insert my new ABS-CBNmobile SIM card on my old Sony Ericsson Xperia Ray ST18i (yeah, that phone part of the 2011 Xperia lineup which it's still uses the Sony Ericsson brand until the brand was replaced by Sony Mobile.)

The Network

The network identity say's "ABS-CBN" but it's still uses Globe's mobile network just like Globe's budget-minded mobile brand, TM (also known as 'Republika ng TM'). It has a high-speed 3G signals thanks to Globe's largest 3G network but they are not yet ready for 4G LTE.

I tried to insert the SIM card on my another devices such as Lenovo A516, Lenovo IdeaTab A1000-G, Samsung Champ and Nokia 301 Dual SIM and all of these devices are working with ABS-CBNmobile SIM. I don't know if it will worked on some Globe-provided 'locked' phones.

First Try

I tried to text to my second Globe number and they will greet me with free 15 texts to all networks plus free 5MB to access the internet. Also, there's a guide on how to setup your internet to enjoy some services like iWant TV and iWant Stars and also, browsing the internet since the default APN (myGlobe INET) will not work on ABS-CBNmobile.

Reload

You can reload it via the ABS-CBNmobile retailers and Reloading Stations in some areas. Also, you can also reload it via Globe's AutoLoadMax in every sari-sari stores, retailers and reloading stations nationwide but you can't use Globe's Share-A-Load (Globe's own version of Smart's PasaLoad).

Rates and Promo Loads

If you want to enjoy their services without registering to their "promo loads", here's some regular rates:

Call Rates

• ABS-CBNmobile to ABS-CBNmobile - Php 1.00 per minute  (very affordable!)
• ABS-CBNmobile to other network (Globe, Smart and Sun) - Php 6.50 per minute
• ABS-CBNmobile to landline nationwide - Php 6.50 per minute

Text Rates

• ABS-CBNmobile to all networks - Php 1.00 (1 text = 160 characters)

Mobile Internet Rates

• Php 1.00 per minute

On the other hand, they also have a promo loads like Kapamilya Online (Internet promo load that can also used to access iWant TV and iWant Star app on Wi-Fi), Kapamilya Unli Chat 15 (10 minutes of calls and Unlimited text to ABS-CBNmobile and unlimited Viber), Kapamilya Text All 15 (75 texts to all net for 2days), Kapamilya Call All Net 20 (Php 5.00 per min. call rate to ALL networks) and Kapamilya Online Plus 60 (Unli Viber chat and calls, 100MB mobile surfing and 75 texts to all networks).


After I reload my ABS-CBNmobile with P20, I register to Kapamilya Online 20, Php 20 only, 45MB (perfect for web surfing using Opera Mini or UC Browser para sulit but for iWant TV, I recommend to use Wi-Fi or register to KOL50)

iWant TV app

With ABS-CBNmobile, you can enjoy ABS-CBN shows and other ABS-CBNmobile exclusive videos thru iWant TV app. It is now available on Android and iOS users.

Just installed iWant TV app from Google Play Store.

When I log in my iWant TV account, it worked but when I tried to watch some videos, it will appeared an error message (screenshot shown above).

After I upgrade my account with an ABS-CBNmobile number, I can watch some replay ABS-CBN shows and also, their exclusive contents.

To watch it via Wi-Fi, you must register to any Kapamilya Online promo first or you will get an error message.

iWant Stars

Wanna see your favorite Kapamilya stars like Enchong Dee? iWant Stars is for you! Just search it on Google Play Store and find their own iWant Stars app like iWant Stars for Enchong and also iWant Stars for Daniel.

Final Verdict

In my personal experience, I just used this SIM card to access iWant TV only because I'm regularly using my main Globe number for call, text and unli-surfing. My main advantage of their service is their cheaper call rates to ABS-CBNmobile subscriber and cheaper internet rates, just Php 1.00 only!!! And my disadvantages is their iWant TV app. They won't make it open to all networks especially on my main Globe number. This SIM card is designed for the loyal Kapamilyas but not for everyone. I'd prefer to avail the regular ones (like Globe Prepaid) instead of this because it has the same features as ABS-CBNmobile and more promos than them but ABS-CBNmobile looks promising.

RATING: 3.5/5.0

Advantages

• Cheaper call rates to ABS-CBNmobile: Php 1.00 per minute
• Cheaper internet data rates: Php 1.00 per MB
• You can freely access to iWant TV and iWant Stars app

Disadvantages

• Can't use iWant TV app on other networks
• Limited promos
• No 4G LTE as of now.