Free SMS Reminders from Google Calendar

Click here to learn how to receive free SMS reminders (Zain customers only) from Google Calendar.

Second MTC Incident

Last year, I wrote about an incident with MTC’s (I still refuse to refer to them as Zain) customer service support. I had called in to have my account canceled and the agent on the other end had assured me that the phone line had been deactivated. I later found out that deactivating is not the same as unsubscribing.

Yesterday, my mother, who is already aware of my previous incident, decided to go to a phone branch to cancel her subscription. The shop keeper asked that she’d pay all outstanding fees and then an extra 5 KD to issue a cancellation request.

Having done all that, today she noticed that her phone line was still active. She called MTC and explained that she had already paid the 5 KD to cancel, but they said, “only official MTC branches have the authority to cancel accounts!”. Great.

I’m going to investigate the whole issue tomorrow and talk to someone face-to-face, but what I still don’t understand is why can’t salespeople be honest about these requests? Keep this up and they’ll lose customer loyalty.

3baid, Mita Yanzil?

The iPhone is out –I’m not even going to link to the ubiquitous news– and people I know have been itching to touch one, but unless you live in the US, your best bet is to wait ’till the end of the year if not longer.

Sierra Card Exchange Promotion

Untill the 27th of December, you can replace your old Data Connect Card (Sierra Wireless) with 20% off a new and faster Data Connect Card by visiting an MTC branch. The MTC website does not mentioned whether this “new card” is PCMCIA Express or not, but its full price is 75 KD.

Link: MTC Vodafone Website

Mac + GPRS

The current version of OS X 10.4 (Tiger) does not support many of the latest GPRS/EDGE/3G phone models. So after setting up your phone with to work your operator’s services, you’ll need to download the Modem Scripts to allow your Mac to access the internet. There are scripts for Nokia, Sony Ericsson, and Motorolla brands and setting it up is fairly easy:

1. Read the instructions that come with the scripts!
2. Move the scripts into the Library/Modem Scripts folder.
3. Pair your phone with your Mac and select: Use a direct higher speed… (GPRS) as the connection type.
4. Select the script that best works with your phone.
5. Open Internet Connect and connect via bluetooth.

Note: Some scripts already include the *99# CID string so leave the field blank in the dialog.

Misleading MTC

If you ever call MTC’s phone support, don’t take their word for granted. Today, many months later after reporting a lost SIM card and asking to permanently stop the account, I found out that MTC had been stacking me up on monthly fees. When I pointed out that I’ve been told that my phone line had already been “deactivated” they said,

“Deactivating your phone line is NOT the same as canceling your subscription!”

In other words, you can still be billed for a number that doesn’t even work. I fail to see how MTC’s call support ignored pointing that out, especially after repeatedly stressing that I will no longer be using that line.

Update: I received a kind email from the MTC webmaster (who also happens to be a fan of my blog!) asking me to file an official complaint, but since this is the first time I’ve had a problem with MTC, I’m going to let it pass. I have already cleared all my debts and I see no reason to pursue the problem.