Posted 19 March 2014
Ovivo closing down
just seen this on their website, as of this evening ovivo will be no more, there's a PAC request form on their website for all of you guys who swear by them
"Dear OVIVO Customers,
We are very sad to announce that for reasons beyond our control, OVIVO Mobile is closing down on the evening of Wednesday 19th March 2014.
We'd like to thank each and every one of you for your support and friendship over the last two years.
To keep your OVIVO number, just fill out this form, and we’ll send you your PAC code.
PAC code request form
To request a PAC code please complete the form below. There is no need to request a PAC code if you do not wish to keep your number. We will arrange for your PAC code to arrive as quickly as possible but there is a high demand for this service."
For those after replacements check the megathread
hotukdeals.com/dea…625
People still seem to be able to receive calls and texts but not make any outgoing calls or texts
Shared Via The HUKD App For Android.
Complain to the CEO?
facebook.com/dar…and
- vinh1000
If you have recently purchased you may be able to contact your card provider and get a 'chargeback'
moneysavingexpert.com/sho…ack
- winchman
Which network next? Three, Payg 3,2,1 looks appealing to low usage users, 3p min, 2p txt, 1p/Mb.
- fluidz
1: Save your Phone Contacts to your phone (not sim) incase the Ovivo sim is terminated.
2: Customers who paid by Credit Card can file a charge-back claim with their credit card provider.
3: New Customers who paid by PayPal in last 45 days, put in a PayPal claim.
Da11as
Post #33
- Da11as
Only available contact information, maybe worth a try.
Ovivo Customer Service Phone Number +44 203 463 1332
Ovivo email address sales@ovivomobile.com
- Da11as
Only available contact information, maybe worth a try.
Ovivo Customer Service Phone Number +44 203 463 1332
Ovivo email address sales@ovivomobile.com
- Da11as
PayPal are reportedly now issuing refunds over the phone. If you paid with PayPal, phone them now!
- preecey
For Nationwide: 0800302011
Debit card I was told may not receive as have received goods (which we've not)
Credit card have an inundated team who know all about Ovivo collapse- super quick, will post out a form to sign, want a screenshot of ovivomobile.com's message (which I've done here for anyone who can't work this out: oi57.tinypic.com/316…jpg
- dancedar
Users are reporting receiving pac codes from about 9:50 on 20th March
- everett_psycho
Data 0 users, Three's 321 PAYG phone sim won't work in tablets.
- dancedar
For those looking for a good deal and would like to keep or change network, there is a good info what network providers are on:
en.wikipedia.org/wik…ors
thanks to pgregg
- knocik
Chargeback applies to all Visa, Maestro and American Express debit cards for goods costing less that £100
You also have rights under Section 75 for goods costing more than £100 if paid by credit card
Chargeback can apply if goods are damaged, not as described, or the merchant has ceased trading
which.co.uk/con…AgQ
- fazlulkhair
Taken from theguardian.com/tec…ity
Those who need a mobile connection and shift their number are unlikely to be refunded, Ovivo’s terms and conditions suggest:
“6.3 In the event that We terminate the Service and You have paid for credit remaining on your Account We shall refund the amount to You, provided We have received the SIM Card back. Refunds will be credited to the credit or debit card used when topping-up.”
“6.6 Should You transfer your number away from OVIVO, this constitutes a termination of this Agreement and any outstanding credit on your account, whether paid for or promotional, is forfeit and non-refundable.”
- rogdog
Check your Junk/Spam folders for your PAC Code.
- Fagol
TopCashBack alert!!
Tcb have confirmed that they will ** issue £5 cash back to its customers with in 48 hours **
- sofiasar
You can view your sim credit balance by dialing *#1455#.
credit to 'Check_your_balance'
- Da11as
If you have already submitted you PAC request but have not yet received the PAC code, use this LINK ovivomobile.com/pac…php to check the status (you code will magically appear.
Credit goes to twister121
- Da11as
Credit to happi and ghyu for the *#1455# retrieve your balance code.
- Da11as
If you have already submitted you PAC request but have not yet received the PAC code, use this LINK ovivomobile.com/pac…php
to check the status, your code will magically appear.
Credit goes to happi, ghyu and twister121
- Da11as
I've thrown my mobile in the bin
- ewwaxo
For those with multiple Ovivo SIMS, multiple requests to get PAC code returns the same code and this is usable for porting different numbers. The reason is that an operator can issue one PAC code for any numbers as appropriate. When you port you have to supply the number to port from which is the unique information. PAC code need not be unique to one number to be ported.
- splender
IT TAKES UP TO TEN DAYS FOR PAYPAL CLAIM.
- ewwaxo
Here's a petition we can all sign to raise awareness on the issue, and possibly kickstart an thorough investigation into the shortcomings of Ovivo.
change.org/pet…out
- nasim95
change.org/pet…out
- amis1975
According to Which?, the 120 day limit for chargeback starts from the point you discover a problem. There is a second, ultimate deadline of 540 days from the transaction date. This means that most people who bought an Ovivo SIM in the last year and a bit are entitled to make a claim for a chargeback on their cards, and have (as of today) 113 days in which to do so. Whether a claim will be successful or not is a different matter, of course.
- Ferris
*************You must request your pac via pac@ovivomobile.com before 2nd June as the site & email will be shut down*************
- dancedar
"Dear OVIVO Customers,
We are very sad to announce that for reasons beyond our control, OVIVO Mobile is closing down on the evening of Wednesday 19th March 2014.
We'd like to thank each and every one of you for your support and friendship over the last two years.
To keep your OVIVO number, just fill out this form, and we’ll send you your PAC code.
PAC code request form
To request a PAC code please complete the form below. There is no need to request a PAC code if you do not wish to keep your number. We will arrange for your PAC code to arrive as quickly as possible but there is a high demand for this service."
For those after replacements check the megathread
hotukdeals.com/dea…625
People still seem to be able to receive calls and texts but not make any outgoing calls or texts
Shared Via The HUKD App For Android.
Complain to the CEO?
facebook.com/dar…and
- vinh1000
If you have recently purchased you may be able to contact your card provider and get a 'chargeback'
moneysavingexpert.com/sho…ack
- winchman
Which network next? Three, Payg 3,2,1 looks appealing to low usage users, 3p min, 2p txt, 1p/Mb.
- fluidz
1: Save your Phone Contacts to your phone (not sim) incase the Ovivo sim is terminated.
2: Customers who paid by Credit Card can file a charge-back claim with their credit card provider.
3: New Customers who paid by PayPal in last 45 days, put in a PayPal claim.
Da11as
Post #33
- Da11as
Only available contact information, maybe worth a try.
Ovivo Customer Service Phone Number +44 203 463 1332
Ovivo email address sales@ovivomobile.com
- Da11as
Only available contact information, maybe worth a try.
Ovivo Customer Service Phone Number +44 203 463 1332
Ovivo email address sales@ovivomobile.com
- Da11as
PayPal are reportedly now issuing refunds over the phone. If you paid with PayPal, phone them now!
- preecey
For Nationwide: 0800302011
Debit card I was told may not receive as have received goods (which we've not)
Credit card have an inundated team who know all about Ovivo collapse- super quick, will post out a form to sign, want a screenshot of ovivomobile.com's message (which I've done here for anyone who can't work this out: oi57.tinypic.com/316…jpg
- dancedar
Users are reporting receiving pac codes from about 9:50 on 20th March
- everett_psycho
Data 0 users, Three's 321 PAYG phone sim won't work in tablets.
- dancedar
For those looking for a good deal and would like to keep or change network, there is a good info what network providers are on:
en.wikipedia.org/wik…ors
thanks to pgregg
- knocik
Chargeback applies to all Visa, Maestro and American Express debit cards for goods costing less that £100
You also have rights under Section 75 for goods costing more than £100 if paid by credit card
Chargeback can apply if goods are damaged, not as described, or the merchant has ceased trading
which.co.uk/con…AgQ
- fazlulkhair
Taken from theguardian.com/tec…ity
Those who need a mobile connection and shift their number are unlikely to be refunded, Ovivo’s terms and conditions suggest:
“6.3 In the event that We terminate the Service and You have paid for credit remaining on your Account We shall refund the amount to You, provided We have received the SIM Card back. Refunds will be credited to the credit or debit card used when topping-up.”
“6.6 Should You transfer your number away from OVIVO, this constitutes a termination of this Agreement and any outstanding credit on your account, whether paid for or promotional, is forfeit and non-refundable.”
- rogdog
Check your Junk/Spam folders for your PAC Code.
- Fagol
TopCashBack alert!!
Tcb have confirmed that they will ** issue £5 cash back to its customers with in 48 hours **
- sofiasar
You can view your sim credit balance by dialing *#1455#.
credit to 'Check_your_balance'
- Da11as
If you have already submitted you PAC request but have not yet received the PAC code, use this LINK ovivomobile.com/pac…php to check the status (you code will magically appear.
Credit goes to twister121
- Da11as
Credit to happi and ghyu for the *#1455# retrieve your balance code.
- Da11as
If you have already submitted you PAC request but have not yet received the PAC code, use this LINK ovivomobile.com/pac…php
to check the status, your code will magically appear.
Credit goes to happi, ghyu and twister121
- Da11as
I've thrown my mobile in the bin
- ewwaxo
For those with multiple Ovivo SIMS, multiple requests to get PAC code returns the same code and this is usable for porting different numbers. The reason is that an operator can issue one PAC code for any numbers as appropriate. When you port you have to supply the number to port from which is the unique information. PAC code need not be unique to one number to be ported.
- splender
IT TAKES UP TO TEN DAYS FOR PAYPAL CLAIM.
- ewwaxo
Here's a petition we can all sign to raise awareness on the issue, and possibly kickstart an thorough investigation into the shortcomings of Ovivo.
change.org/pet…out
- nasim95
change.org/pet…out
- amis1975
According to Which?, the 120 day limit for chargeback starts from the point you discover a problem. There is a second, ultimate deadline of 540 days from the transaction date. This means that most people who bought an Ovivo SIM in the last year and a bit are entitled to make a claim for a chargeback on their cards, and have (as of today) 113 days in which to do so. Whether a claim will be successful or not is a different matter, of course.
- Ferris
*************You must request your pac via pac@ovivomobile.com before 2nd June as the site & email will be shut down*************
- dancedar
Community Updates
4481 Comments
sorted byThey are going to destroy me...
(edited)
This is such sad news.
If you paid for any of this service via PayPal you should raise a claim for this ASAP. Sign in to your account here.
Paid for anything with your Visa card? Payments for services/goods under £100 should be covered under the Visa Chargeback Scheme. You will need to contact your individual bank and NOT Visa.
If you have any Direct Debits with them, cancel them NOW. If you aren't sure, please check.
PAC Code - if you've been issued with a PAC code by Ovivo, you can check it is correct here.
Credit to happi and ghyu for the *#1455# retrieve your balance code.
We've been in touch with the Communications Ombudsman this afternoon and Ofcom. They say:
Ombudsman -
> If you request a PAC code through Ovivo but you do not receive this, you can make a request with Vodafone who will be able to offer one.
> They cannot offer any information on credit but they will call me back. They suggested I telephone Ofcom.
Ofcom:
> Their advice is that people must get in touch with their banks (or however they made payment for credit) and raise a claim that way.
You can consider a complaint against the communication provider:
In writing:
Ombudsman Services: Communications
PO Box 730
Warrington
WA4 6WU
Phone: 0330 440 1614
Textphone: 0330 440 1600
Link to Ombudsman details.
Link to Ofcom details.
If you have the Ovivo sim and want to transfer your number you will need a Pac code. Use this link.
Massive thanks to everyone who has contributed to helping people out with this whole issue. Info above sourced from:
Da11as, preecey, dancedar, everett_psycho, Fagol, sofiasar, j752000, happi and ghyu (we'll update as we go!).
(edited)
Had mine tattooed on my neck, with the words "Ovivo" underneath.
Feel let down now.
[image missing]
I don't know who you are. I don't know what you want. But you have embarrassed me and put my family in danger. I have a very particular set of skills; skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you. If you give me my money back, and restore my honour, that'll be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not pursue you. But if you don't, I will look for you, I will find you, and I will kill you.
Is that you Craig ? we need you at work....... now! oO
Delight
hotukdeals.com/dea…948 PAYG - cheap if you can find one in poundland and can't make your mind up yet. £1 for throw away SIM with £10 credit
EE
ee.co.uk/ - [can't direct link] PAYG Add Ons buy a pack of 100 mins for £3, 400 texts for £2, and/or 100MB internet for £3. Works on all unlocked phones, 4G handset not required. [found by Khairul]
GiffGaff
giffgaff.com/ - have free giffgaff to giffgaff calls like OVIVO used to have and some low priced goodie bags, which might be handy if you are trying to get a family all on the same network with free calls. But the allowances look sh*t compared to OVIVO now. [ topcashback.co.uk/gif…ff/ £4.54 cashback for activating SIM]
Samba
sambamobile.com/Hom…mba - Free to use, £5 upfront for SIM Internet only, no calls.
Talk Mobile
talkmobile.co.uk/tar…K5S - ○ 100 mins ○ 100 texts ○ 100MB £5 per month [found by Khairul]
Talk Talk
sales.talktalk.co.uk/pro…ile - ○ 100 mins ○ 250 texts ○ 200MB. When ordered online. FOR EXISTING TALKTALK CUSTOMERS ONLY £3.50 [found by Khairul] Possible £21 TCB which would make it equivalent to £1.75 pm? [ maddoglewis ]
or
£3.75 for 6 months, £7.50 thereafter and £21 TCB ○ 500 mins ○ unlimited texts ○ 1GB data = £3.88pm [found by maddoglewis]
Tesco Mobile
shop.tescomobile.com/mob…iff - 12 month contract ○ 250 mins ○ 5000 texts ○ 500MB. 4G. £7.50 pm, (£7.87 TCB) equivalent to £6.85 pm
Three
three.co.uk/Sto…ans - PAYG has the cheapest minutes data and texts without buying any kind of bundle. ○ 3p a minute ○ 2p a text ○1p a MB of data
store.three.co.uk/SIM…hly - 12 month contract [not for me]. ○ 500MB data, ○ 200 minutes ○ 5,000 texts. £6.90 per month
store.three.co.uk/vie…100 - 1 month contract All you can eat data, 200 minutes, 5,000 texts. £12.90 a month. {found by Relievo]
Vectone Mobile
vectonemobile.co.uk/pay…px- PAYG ○ 300 mins ○ 300 texts ○ 300 MB ○ 1000 mins Vectone to Vectone ○ 1000 texts Vectone to Vectone. £5 per month. Is cheap but cr*p reviews. (edited)
[image missing]
(edited)Not good.... not good at all
I use this phone for business to....
Adding that one to the list, thanks
Delight
hotukdeals.com/dea…948 PAYG - cheap if you can find one in poundland and can't make your mind up yet. £1 for throw away SIM with £10 credit
EE
ee.co.uk/ - [can't direct link] PAYG Add Ons buy a pack of 100 mins for £3, 400 texts for £2, and/or 100MB internet for £3. Works on all unlocked phones, 4G handset not required. [found by Khairul] 50p TCB for ordering SIM card.
GiffGaff
giffgaff.com/ - have free giffgaff to giffgaff calls like OVIVO used to have and some low priced goodie bags, which might be handy if you are trying to get a family all on the same network with free calls. But the allowances look sh*t compared to OVIVO now. [Possible £4.54 TCB for activating SIM]
Orange
shop.orange.co.uk/mob…nly - cheap for one month 1 month contract - 500 minutes ○ 500 texts ○ 100MB - £10 per month. Possible £10.10 TCB, which would make 1 month free. Same deal available on T-mobile.
Samba
sambamobile.com/Hom…mba - Free to use, £5 upfront for SIM Internet only, no calls.
Talk Mobile
talkmobile.co.uk/tar…K5S - ○ 100 mins ○ 100 texts ○ 100MB £5 per month [found by Khairul]
Talk Talk
sales.talktalk.co.uk/pro…ile - ○ 100 mins ○ 250 texts ○ 200MB. When ordered online. FOR EXISTING TALKTALK CUSTOMERS ONLY £3.50 [found by Khairul] Possible £21 TCB which would make it equivalent to £1.75 pm? [ maddoglewis ]
or
£3.75 for 6 months, £7.50 thereafter and £21 TCB ○ 500 mins ○ unlimited texts ○ 1GB data = £3.88pm [found by maddoglewis]
Tesco Mobile
shop.tescomobile.com/mob…iff - 12 month contract ○ 250 mins ○ 5000 texts ○ 500MB. 4G. £7.50 pm, (£7.87 TCB) equivalent to £6.85 pm
Three
three.co.uk/Sto…ans - PAYG has the cheapest minutes data and texts without buying any kind of bundle. ○ 3p a minute ○ 2p a text ○1p a MB of data. Ferris adds, can sometimes get Three PAYG SIM cards with £10 credit preloaded on eBay, for £6.
Landline calls on Three can be reduced to 2p per minute, by using text2topup.com/uk/…hs/ Work for landline only, makes everything else more expensive.
store.three.co.uk/SIM…hly - 12 month contract [not for me]. ○ 500MB data, ○ 200 minutes ○ 5,000 texts. £6.90 per month
store.three.co.uk/vie…100 - 1 month contract All you can eat data, 200 minutes, 5,000 texts. £12.90 a month. {found by Relievo]
T-mobile
t-mobile.co.uk/sho…ns/ - cheap for one month 30 day contract ○ 250 minutess ○ 500 texts ○ 500MB. £10 per month. Possible £10.10 TCB which would make 1 month free. Same deal available for Orange.
t-mobile.co.uk/sho…rs/]t-mobile.co.uk/sho…rs/ - Add on - Internet, fair usage 40mb a day. £20 for 6 months
Vectone Mobile
vectonemobile.co.uk/pay…px- PAYG ○ 300 mins ○ 300 texts ○ 300 MB ○ 1000 mins Vectone to Vectone ○ 1000 texts Vectone to Vectone. £5 per month. Is cheap but cr*p reviews.
Vodafone
vodafone.co.uk/bus…ns/ - 12 months contract ○ 300 minutes ○ 500 texts ○ 250mb. £9 per month Total price for 12 month= £108. Possible £101 TCB Yearly cost minus cashback = £7 This is technically it's a small business deal, so may or may not be available to non-business customers. [found by Gavin and Ferris]
Thanks everyone for your help with this
More info on PAYG tariffs:
petef.22web.org/pay…tml (edited)
Hello,
A response to your support ticket is shown below.
If applicable, please visit the support tickets section to submit any responses
Important Notice Regarding Your Recent Ovivo Purchase.
We’ve heard the bad news that Ovivo has unexpectedly shut down as of last night (Wednesday 19th March 2014). Ovivo have cited it is due to reasons beyond their control and if you wish to keep your mobile number you can visit their site to request your PAC code.
We can see from your account that you recently purchased an Ovivo Sim Card through TopCashback and you have cashback tracking in your account which made it seem like an even better deal at the time.
As we understand that Ovivo customers will already be extremely frustrated with this situation, we wanted to soften the blow as much as we could for TopCashback members! Therefore, anybody who ordered a sim-card through TopCashback will see their cashback move to payable within the next 48 hours.
Please be aware that this will be paid from our own pocket as we have little idea on whether we will go on to receive payment for this cashback from Ovivo.
We hope this helps to soften the blow a little.
If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to let us know.
Kind regards
TopCashback
Kinda softens the blow. Thanks, Top Cashback!
(edited)
AVOID or will regret in the future.
Polish CEO means only TROUBLE!!!![/quote]
We might regret it , but no need to slant the CEO , wherever he was born , we can't all choose where to get born and when , but we can choose to be honest and fair in life . If it wasn't for the Polish we'd be speaking German now . Let's try and keep on topic and not turn it into something else .
Happy days oO I've had better
I'm not bitter
It's how members of the Sunlife Over-50 plan identify each other on web forums.
I have made this list so can see options. I think I am going to go with giffgaff for the time being, since they are giving a free £5 to OVIVO customers. And there is £4.54 TCB. They are not quite as cheap as Three per minute or text, but their add on works out slightly cheaper if you buy it and free calls giffgaff to giffgaff so I can ring family like I did on OVIVO. Will do the job until the dust settles and see if anything better comes up.
Delight
hotukdeals.com/dea…948 PAYG - cheap if you can find one in poundland and can't make your mind up yet. £1 for throw away SIM with £10 credit
EE
ee.co.uk/ - [can't direct link] PAYG Add Ons buy a pack of 100 mins for £3, 400 texts for £2, and/or 100MB internet for £3. Works on all unlocked phones, 4G handset not required. [found by Khairul] 50p TCB for ordering SIM card.
GiffGaff
giffgaff.com/ - have free giffgaff to giffgaff calls like OVIVO used to have and some low priced goodie bags, which might be handy if you are trying to get a family all on the same network with free calls. But the allowances look sh*t compared to OVIVO now. [Possible £4.54 TCB for activating SIM] Now with free £5 of credit when you port in your OVIVO number.
Orange
shop.orange.co.uk/mob…nly - cheap for one month 1 month contract - 500 minutes ○ 500 texts ○ 100MB - £10 per month. Possible £10.10 TCB, which would make 1 month free. Same deal available on T-mobile.
Samba
sambamobile.com/Hom…mba - Free to use, £5 upfront for SIM Internet only, no calls.
Talk Mobile
talkmobile.co.uk/tar…K5S - ○ 100 mins ○ 100 texts ○ 100MB £5 per month [found by Khairul]
Talk Talk
sales.talktalk.co.uk/pro…ile - ○ 100 mins ○ 250 texts ○ 200MB. When ordered online. FOR EXISTING TALKTALK CUSTOMERS ONLY £3.50 [found by Khairul] Possible £21 TCB which would make it equivalent to £1.75 pm? [ maddoglewis ]
or
£3.75 for 6 months, £7.50 thereafter and £21 TCB ○ 500 mins ○ unlimited texts ○ 1GB data = £3.88pm [found by maddoglewis]
Tesco Mobile
shop.tescomobile.com/mob…iff - 12 month contract ○ 250 mins ○ 5000 texts ○ 500MB. 4G. £7.50 pm, (£7.87 TCB) equivalent to £6.85 pm. Da11as adds data increases to 750MB when you use Family Perks.
Three
three.co.uk/Sto…ans - PAYG has the cheapest minutes data and texts without buying any kind of bundle. ○ 3p a minute ○ 2p a text ○1p a MB of data. Ferris adds, can sometimes get Three PAYG SIM cards with £10 credit preloaded on eBay, for £6.
Landline calls on Three can be reduced to 2p per minute, by using text2topup.com/uk/…hs/ Work for landline only, makes everything else more expensive.
store.three.co.uk/SIM…hly - 12 month contract [not for me]. ○ 500MB data, ○ 200 minutes ○ 5,000 texts. £6.90 per month
store.three.co.uk/vie…100 - 1 month contract All you can eat data, 200 minutes, 5,000 texts. £12.90 a month. {found by Relievo]
T-mobile
t-mobile.co.uk/sho…ns/ - cheap for one month 30 day contract ○ 250 minutess ○ 500 texts ○ 500MB. £10 per month. Possible £10.10 TCB which would make 1 month free. Same deal available for Orange.
t-mobile.co.uk/sho…rs/]t-mobile.co.uk/sho…rs/ - Add on - Internet, fair usage 40mb a day. £20 for 6 months
Vectone Mobile
vectonemobile.co.uk/pay…px- PAYG ○ 300 mins ○ 300 texts ○ 300 MB ○ 1000 mins Vectone to Vectone ○ 1000 texts Vectone to Vectone. £5 per month. Is cheap but cr*p reviews.
Vodafone
vodafone.co.uk/bus…ns/ - 12 months contract ○ 300 minutes ○ 500 texts ○ 250mb. £9 per month Total price for 12 month= £108. Possible £101 TCB Yearly cost minus cashback = £7 This is technically it's a small business deal, so may or may not be available to non-business customers. [found by Gavin and Ferris]
Thanks everyone for your help with this
More info on PAYG tariffs:
petef.22web.org/pay…tml (edited)
wife or sim card
Make sure you move all your phone contacts from sim card to phone etc.
Also if paid by PayPal in last 45 days, put in a claim.
Also claim a charge back with your credit card provider.
(edited)
[image missing]
good work topcashback!
In your case you should probably claim for whiplash too.
Like this?
[image missing]
Written by: Pádraig McGarrigle
Posted on: 20 March 2014. Tags: Cognatel, Ovivo Mobile
Exclusive: Dispute with Cognatel led to Ovivo Mobile termination
Dispute over network software led to abrupt closure of network yesterday evening (March 20)
Ovivo Mobile was terminated by MVNA Cognatel following an alleged dispute over network software that would have allowed the MVNO to uniquely identify each user, Mobile News understands.
It is believed that Cognatel was contractually obliged to deliver the software but had failed to do so. Uniquely identifying each user was essential to the operator’s service which provided free airtime, texts and data in exhange for agreeing to being targeted by marketing materials.
Furthermore, it also understood that Ovivo Mobile had been withholding cash from the Vodafone MVNA as part of the dispute and it was this that led to the plug being pulled at short notice yesterday.
Customers of the operator are furious at the sudden nature of the cessation of their connectivity although the value of money owed is likely to be very little due to the ‘advertiser-funded nature’ of the service.
The firm said last month it had 50,000 users and was in the process of raising £3 million in financing but the reputational damage means it will close permanently.
Ovivo Mobile and Cognatel were unavailable when contacted by Mobile News earlier today while Vodafone refused to comment on the story.
Think about this calmly for a minute.
If this is true, OVIVO was not getting the service from Cognatel that they were supposed to be getting. I doubt the OVIVO business model would work unless they can uniquely identify each user for marketing purposes. Cognatel did not provide the software to OVIVO that they were contracted to.
OVIVO withheld payment to try to get the software that they needed and Cognatel cut off their services. Cognatel are at fault. They are the ones that are not fulfilling their obligations and broke the chain.
This sounds to me that OVIVO were put in a position that was completely unworkable. If those were the circumstances that were 'out of our control', they then were basically forced out of the market by Vodafone's partner.
If this is true, I think this is exceptionally sad. People are going to say that this business model doesn't work, when it was never proven. They just had the misfortune of having Cognatel as service provider.
They had an opportunity to really change the way the mobile phone market works, which would have benefited everyone, including the mobile phone companies.
It offers them another revenue stream which could of allowed them to offer more unlimited packages. In countries where they offer more unlimited packages, they are struggling to make enough money to maintain their networks. This would have been a fantastic work around.
Now it is likely people will be very wary of buying into the idea for free to use mobile networks. So in effect, we have lost two fold. Lost the company that could provide free services and lost a service which could have allowed for more unlimited services.
It's tragic and means we'll be stuck in the internet dark ages for even longer.
(edited)
Yes i'm just glad i took no notice or i wouldn't have had 2 years free phone calls and text for £5.
I wish I could do that with my wife.