Globe's latest promo SuperUnli25 turned out to be only Super-minus-unli. First, it was my nanay who complained why when she used it to call, her calls are cut-off. Then, she could no longer make a call after. 

Next complaint I heard was from @altjess, a twitter friend. He was banned for violating the TOS, but Globe was not able to specify which rule did he violate. When he checked with the Globe Customer Service, the Globe staff told him that he was bulk messaging. I sent a question via twitter to @talk2Globe how they define bulk messaging, @talk2globe actually replied to me that bulk messaging refers to their unlimited text promo. Quite contrary. 

Until, I get across the Globe's Getsatisfaction thread entitled, "i have been blocked to use any of the globe promos." I felt kind of relieved to see people complaining about this, it means I'm not alone. And, this is actually now getting more popular, an ABS-CBN reporter Angelo de Jesus took notice of this. You can see his article in here, and take a vote here.

But this is actually not new to me. And, this does not happen exclusively to Globe -- cutting unlimited service. With @tweetitow, I get to experience using Sun, Smart, and Globe's unlimited text services.

When we use their -- Globe, Smart, Sun -- unlimited text promos to power the 'receive updates' feature of @tweetitow, that's when I learn that unlimited is not really unlimited. And, though Globe is getting the bad news right now, Globe was actually the most lenient/forgiving of the 3 networks regarding unlimited text service based on our experience.

Based on my experience, following are how they limit the unlimited text service:

* Smart & Sun are actually more strict in limiting their unlimited service. After a month of using their unlitxt service, Smart no longer allow our number to subscribe to their unlitext promo. While Sun cut-off our 1-month unlitext subscription to 2 weeks. 

Smart will let you finish the length of your unlitext service, and after that will not let you subscribe. While Sun will not really ban your number, but instead they will cut off your subscription midway. So if you subscribe to 1 week unlitxt, they will cut off like after 2 or 3 days.

But they will actually remove the 'ban' after some days. I think after a week or 2 weeks, we were able to use the unlimited service again.

* Globe has been actually very lenient with their unlimited text service. They actually let us user their unlitext service for almost 10 months without cutting or suspending it. 

But they also lift the ban, I think, after 30 days. I'm not sure.

In defense of Globe, I hope the 'media' will not only focus on Globe, but on all the networks. I guess there is no problem with Telcos having unlimited promos, but I wish they could also specify as to how unlimited is their unlimited to avoid frustration on both parties. 

I believe consumers know that unlimited is not unlimited, we just wish for the telcos to be more transparent and honest on their limitations, instead of just banning or cutting off our subscription without even informing us before cutting off. Just like power companies, they always send out notice before they cut off our power connection. I hope telcos will also do that. 

Being transparent and honest do not cost much, there is no reason TELCOS cannot do this. We, not only for telcos, should stop taking advantage of the 'power'-less of the people. 

@tweetitow reached 15t sign-ups with the old registration system. It’s a pretty small number, but it’s already big deall for me. At the very start of @tweetitow, I used to keep track all the users by following them all. But as users sign-up by flock, and I got busy with other stuff, I could no longer follow each of them.

With the nearing of Twitter’s deadline on required OAuth registration, I guess I just have to say goodbye to them for now. I could not find them one-by-one, and inform them to re-reg at http://app.tweetitow,com. But of course, I believe, there will always be a second ‘Hola. Como Estas!’

This made me think, if only we have taken @tweetitow seriously, tracking the different members would be easier, & hopefully make money out of it. But on the other thought, I guess @tweetitow will always be for fun. Serious stuff not allowed. =)

How to Start a Startup http://bit.ly/b0N9NT
http://paulgraham.com/start.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Another sign of how little the initial idea is worth is the number of startups that change their plan en route. Microsoft’s original plan was to make money selling programming languages, of all things. Their current business model didn’t occur to them until IBM dropped it in their lap five years later.

(via Instapaper)