GOMO! 5G Prepaid SIM Review
Data, calls, and SMS do not expire. Great for students, backup SIM, or longer-term set-and-forget SIM while on-the-go
Mobile data has become an essential part of our lives, that we now allocate a certain amount of our budget and expenses to mobile data. I’m a practical person, and I have not signed up for any postpaid plans for more than a decade now. I mostly use prepaid, and with a combination of “combos” and “promos” I maximize my data, calls, and SMS with monthly roll-overs.
However, sometimes I forget to renew my promos, and all of my rolled-over minutes, SMS and data expire just like that.
I remember around 10 years ago, Globe had the “immortal text” and “immortal calls” promo. The concept was that you converted some credits into minutes or SMS that do not expire. I saved up a lot from that.
GOMO! has the same concept, but with data. It is an MVNO or Mobile Virtual Network Operator that runs on the Globe network. GOMO was initially launched by Singapore’s Singtel, offering similar unlimited prepaid pricing schemes.
The details
- The GOMO SIM itself costs PhP 299. It is initially priced as PhP 199 as a promo.
- This comes with 25 GB of data, which does not expire.
- You can top up anytime for Php 299. Top-ups can be done via Gcash, debit card, or credit card.
The main difference with regular SIMs is that GOMO is primarily meant for data. However, you can convert data allocation into mobile call minutes or SMS:
- 200 MB for 3 minutes of cellular (all-network) calls
- 200 MB for 30 SMS
- 500 MB for 5 mins cellular calls + 50 SMS
Registration and management
This is done through the GOMO! app, downloadable via App Store or Google Play Store. You’ll need to enter some personal details. Sure, you can use a fake identity, but you need a valid email.
Numbers start with 0976. Currently, numbers start with 00 (e.g., 097600XXXXX).
You can already receive calls and SMS without registering, but you need to register to activate your initial 25 GB of data. You will need to convert data allocation into SMS or calls using the app.
There is also a promo for PhP 499 for 25 GB of data + 100 minutes and 500 SMS. But doing the math, it’s just like converting 200 pesos worth of data into 100 minutes and 500 SMS. Same thing, but less cumbersome.
The math
- The initial SIM and data cost PhP 199 or PhP 7.96 per GB
- Succeeding top-ups cost PhP 299 or PhP 11.96 per GB
That’s cheaper than the usual LTE promo by Globe or PLDT Home.
- Globe: PhP 199 for 15 Gb or PhP 13.26 per GB
- PLDT: PhP 199 for 12 Gb or 16.58 per GB
Granted, Globe and PLDT have “free” Youtube or other apps. I do not like counting that, though. I prefer free or open network allocation rather than tying up data into app usage. Still:
- Globe: PhP 199 for 15 GB + 7 GB of YouTube (1Gb per day) or PhP 9.05
- PLDT: PhP 199 for 12 GB + 7 GB of YouTube (1Gb per day) or PhP 10.47
Note that PLDT’s free allocation “stacks” up. If you register several times within the same expiry period, your free YouTube allocation also accumulates. With Globe, there is no accumulation.
Also, in the long run, I think free or open allocation is more efficient, since you don’t have to think about having to consume the YouTube allocation first. Besides, who watches YouTube all day just to consume that 1 GB (oh wait, my kids do!)?
In terms of the calls and text:
- 30 texts cost 200 KB. At PhP 11.96 per GB, that’s PhP 2.39 for the 30 texts or PhP .08 per text.
- It’s the same with calls. PhP 2.39 for 3 minutes, or PhP 0.80 per minute.
- Computing for 50 SMS and 5 minutes, we come up with 8 pesos, or yes approximately half a Gigabyte.
But if we compute using the “promo” price of PhP 199, we get:
- At PhP 7.96 per GB, that’s PhP 1.59 for 30 SMS or PhP 0.05 per SMS.
- With calls, it’s PhP 1.59 for 3 minutes or PhP 0.53 per minute.
Can you just order a lot of SIMs and use a new SIM so you save 100 pesos every time you run out? Why, yes. But it might be cumbersome, since you have to register your SIM using the app before you use it.
Using GOMO on an LTE router
Yes, it works! I have plugged in one of my GOMO SIMs into my unlocked LTE router, and it works as a prepaid home internet that can be shared with more devices. It supports 4G speeds. If you have a 5G router, then you will get even faster speeds. It’s good enough for the usual internet use, even Netflix and other streaming.
I’m not sure if it will work 100% with Globe-locked routers. But since GOMO uses the Globe network, I assume it will work.
Using GOMO as an emergency/backup SIM
This might be a good resource for preppers. Yes, you can use GOMO as a backup SIM for your non-smartphone (or “dumbphone”). The SMS and calls do not expire, so you can keep the phone+SIM in your go bag for emergencies.
However, since you’ll need to register using the app and convert credits first, it will take some effort to do so. You also need a smartphone app to monitor usage or topup. There is no SMS or MMI code to dial for balance check or topups.
Using GOMO for Radio-over-Internet-Protocol
GOMO can be an excellent data SIM for ROIP or POC (PTT-over-Cellular) use.
By my computation, 500 MB to 1 GB is enough for the typical ROIP use on a monthly basis, especially if you use a POC radio or ROIP device that does not consume data allocation for other apps.
Thus, a 25 GB allocation should last you 1 to 2 years — all for 199 pesos! This is perfect for use with Cignus NX100 or the Iconiq POC radio.
The only downside is that you need to have the app installed on a capable smartphone so that you can monitor usage or top up.
Conclusion
I think GOMO is a good innovation in terms of prepaid charging schemes. Current prepaid data promos have expiries (1 day, 3 day, 7 day, 15 day, 30 day, etc.) and users are forced to either top-up/renew these promos or lose the allocation when they forget to do so.
GOMO thus adapts to one’s needs and lifestyle. If you are a heavy user, you just top up as necessary. If you are a light user, then you can save on cost, since you don’t have to top up or register a promo every so often.
Pros
- No data expiry
- Reasonable data, call, and SMS cost
- Works with LTE/5G broadband modems for better/faster sharing
- Can be used for go-box/EDC phone (since no expiry)
- Can be used with ROIP or POC as a cheap data connection
Cons
- Limited top-up options
- You can only top-up within the app. It cannot be done directly from GCash
- You need the smartphone app to manage your account. No web version. No SMS or MMI option.
- Each smartphone app can only manage one account. No multi-account management (which could be useful when, say, managing accounts for your kids).
- No minute/call allocation for landlines. The minutes are only for cell-to-cell calls.
How to order GOMO! SIM
You can go to gomo.ph to order your SIM. Cost is PhP 199 with free shipping. There are also GOMO stores on Lazada and Shopee, but they are mostly “sold out.”
You can also order from within the app. Curiously, the app shows plus and minus to signify changing volume of orders, but you can actually only order one SIM for every transaction. I guess they are preventing abuse or likelihood of users just buying a SIM every time we need 25 GB more (instead of paying the extra 100 pesos).
From the web, you can order up to three SIMs per transaction. The SIM usually arrives 2–3 days after ordering, depending on availability and your location.
I don’t think there’s a limit as to how many times you can order, though. Some online sellers put a markup o profit of 100 to 200 pesos. But if you want your SIM to arrive faster, that might be a viable option.
