Wi-tribe Wimax operator in Jordan

A new Wimax-only operator has gone live in Amman. Wi-tribe revealed their service today after a rather large press and outdoor teaser ad campaign, under the headline “we networked the air” (the slogan also has the Arabic meaning of “falling in love”). A Wimax-only ISP is an exciting idea. So today I checked out their website and looked at their service offering.

The cost of access is comparable to that of traditional, landline based ISPs, starting at JD 17/month for 256 kbps connection, going up to JD 40/month for a 2 Mbps connection.

The mother of all questions, however, is coverage. I was extremely disappointed the Umniah’s Wimax service doesn’t cover the two areas where I would need it: in Dabouq (in Western Amman, and in Wadi Saqra, near Zara Center). The Wi-tribe site doesn’t get specific about coverage other than saying that they cover “West Amman”.

I just tried to call the company twice. The only two options on their answering system are: enter the extension or “0” for the operator. The operator doesn’t answer and the system simply tell me “Good Bye” and kicks me out.

So much for the customer friendliness the Wi-tribe brand promises. At launch time and with a big ad campaign, Wi-tribe are not ready to take my call. Another Jordanian service disappointment.

I haven’t given up on them yet. I will try to call them again to ask them about their coverage.


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14 responses to “Wi-tribe network Amman’s air, but don’t answer the phone”

  1. Mude Avatar
    Mude

    “Build it, and they will come” is not a marketing strategy! Although the initial success of many of Amman’s upscale restaurants and nightclubs gives entrepreneurs the false sense that such a strategy (build it, open the doors, cash in) actually works, the difference is in STAFFING. Also, after that grand opening euphoria, businesses have to give people a reason to become loyal customers. Being responsive to your customers is a good way to begin on that road.

    I, too, have been trying to get in touch with wi-tribe. Other than some unhip hold music, I get nothing. Not only did wi-tribe go to extraordinary lengths with their marketing blitz, they even secured a “raqam mumayaz” (easy to remember phone number).

    That thing on the desk with the number pad and a dangling, coiled wire? It’s called a TELEPHONE. Answer it when it makes a ringing sound.

  2. ArabianMonkey Avatar
    ArabianMonkey

    8:25pm – just called them. 2 mins on hold with painful elevator music. But a dude did finally pick up. Gave me my answers, was courteous and not pushy. I’ll go in over the next couple days to subscribe.

    I like the feel of their brand ,)

  3. Hameed Avatar
    Hameed

    Maybe they just fell victims to their own success and they just can’t handle all the calls…Or maybe they just suck!

    Anyway should be interesting to see how it compares to the other ISPs here.

    BTW, anyone knows if TEData unlimited downloads time is true? Cyberia has one similar but I ended up with limitations even on the unlimited time!

  4. Guss Avatar
    Guss

    well, logically, when a new company is launched, they get many phone calls, which means that people are interested in the service. people will ask all kind of questions to know about the service and take a long time. you cant judge from the first week if the service is bad or good, you need to give it time! its been out in the market for how long! 3 days?? I dont think anyone can judge right now! including me! I like the tag line they used, very creative, SHABAKNA IL HAWA
    I just called them on 5777111 and to tell you the truth they were very helpful.. 1 point for them.

  5. Basem Avatar
    Basem

    There’s a merit of being acquainted with the inner circles of the teleco industry (if such thing actually exist), i’ve been on thier friendly user list for almost 2 month now, and ditched my leased line and opted for thier service last week.

    The coverage is definitely a show-stopper, you really need to think of it as a FIXED wireless modem (CPE: Customer Premises Equipment) rather than a WIRELESS go-anywhere modem.

    Once you actually get coverage you do actually get the speeds you’ve been promised, some hickups (immature session drops) but no serious latency or bottleknecks.

    THe network is not congested and thier backhaul (Microwave links connecting towers with thier backbone) is dedicated for internet use (unlike Umniah’s, i assume). So you do get true broadband, not too wireless though..

    i suggest that you get thier rep to come and demo the service at the location you’ll be using it, this will be stipulated in the contract by the way, then hook it up to the good old wireless router.

    Remember, the modem or CPE requires electric mains, so don’t get too excited and take the modem to the nearest cafe, even if you get the coverage, you’ll find yourself moving furinutre and other fixtures to get to the hidden electrical socket.

    It’ll take both Umniah and Wi-tribe along with the third upcoming interant (Kul-kum Telecom, another wimax only provider) another year or so of network maturity to be bold enough to offer USB-dongle modems to thier networks.

  6. Ahmad Al-Sholi Avatar
    Ahmad Al-Sholi

    Apart from the service or the business itself, I can not respect or anticipate good value from a company that launches such a silly shallow ignorant campaign.

    “Shabkna il Hawa” is ugly, and that is a matter of taste I admit.

    But to attempt being catchy or funny to air an ad. over radio in a way that policemen are not ticketing a driver because he is connected “3indo wasta” is disgusting.

    Now, you admit that “wasta” is corruption by violating rules and regulations. How come you want to be acquainted with such an idea?
    1. The company and the branding/marketing agency are so dumb not to see that.
    2. As a company, you do not believe that you have a social roll in promoting good ideas or fighting negative ones. Actually you are being a contributor to bad/negative culture.

    Another example is the “supply and demand” magazine, why do you have to read a paper while driving?

    I am not a designer and maybe not aware of the approach, but these are the messages am getting as an individual from such a marketing style.

  7. Hani obaid Avatar
    Hani obaid

    A few weeks ago when orange was having the intermittent outages, I was planning to cancel my orange accounts and get to umax accounts instead. So I went to an umniah store, and asked if they cover my area. The clerk asked me where I lived, so I said xyz street next to 5th circle, he brought it up on google earth, then asked me to locate my house on the street! You’re kidding I said. You cover osme houses but not others on that street ? We found my house, and he showed me some yellow and green spots around my house, he said the yellow spots mean half-speed, and the green mean full speed. Unfortunately my house wasn’t either! Grrrrrrrr, here I was naive enough to think wimax means all over the city!

  8. Guss Avatar
    Guss

    Hi Ahmad,

    I respect your feedback but unfortunatly I am not with you on this at all. I feel wi-tribe did a good job on their campaign. I hate to admit that, but i was inspired personally by the new theme they created. at least its clean and standing out of the rest of the telecom stupid ads we see everyday. at least they have a clear message for the public. not like umniah, they just launched without specifying what the product is?? till now no body knows what UMAX is!!
    As for Wasta and speed, its not being negative, its a fact that we live in. we cant change that, its somehow part of our culture whether we like it or not! and I found it humerous.
    as for “SHABAKNA IL HAWA”, you cant say its ugly, its very expressive. its has several meanings, talking about the service, the people, community, …. I found it different for a change!

  9. Code Avatar
    Code

    Read the newspapers while driving ??? LOL

    Obviously that comment came from someone who knows nothing about advertising, someone who just likes whining, typical criticism without understanding, quite familiar

    Nothing wrong with expressing opinions … but i recommend “thinking” … its useful

  10. Ahmad Al-Sholi Avatar
    Ahmad Al-Sholi

    Code, thank you for the the assessment, pretty accurate :)

    As a thinker yourself, would you please explain to me rather than ranting.

    Since you are not into whinning, would you be constructive enough to accept my opinion and read my comment fully where I stated that am not a designer, but that was a message am getting as an individual from the market.

    Again as a constructive thinker, how do you know that I do not represent a valued share of their market?

  11. Code Avatar
    Code

    Silly, shallow, ignorant, ugly and dump does not really strike me as words for a “constructive thinker” now does it ??

    We have to admit that advertising is a “taste based” business, there is science behind it of course, but taste is a major factor, and taste is relative, not liking something doesn’t mean its dump or ugly, it simply means YOU don’t like it.

    You do represent a valued share of their market, however that’s not the point, the point is your idea of “constructive thinking” or “constructive criticism”.

  12. sawsan Avatar
    sawsan

    I have witnessed some problems with wi-ribe recently but their care employees tried their very best o resolve the problem, and they did.

    My brother uses orange internet and recently he could not access the internet so he always borrowed mine :)

  13. munzer Avatar
    munzer

    well, yes, i like how wi-tribe care people do care… it is nice to feel a genuine voice that is truly willing to help. their brand is modern and frsh…i like it a lot…

    well done wi-tribe !

  14. citizen2020 Avatar
    citizen2020

    ““Build it, and they will come” is not a marketing strategy”

    Yes it is.

    If you are a good company and have already researched the market before you open a new company , it is.

    You like it like JCS , they wait for ppl to call them and see where is the demand coming from and then build it, pathetic, they wasted years offering just 70 sat channels, who needs 70 channels when everybody has a 2 meter dish !

    Now they are having customers for their internet offer + plus those 70 channels.

    you build it and then make an irresistible offer for ppl and YES they will come .

    Zain:
    you want customers ? free yourself from Orange ! and stop acting like them ! “you call Orange , you will get faster answers for your questions”, I am not their customer yet and they didn’t reply for a week and then wants me to call Orange and expect me to wait 10-14 days for Orange ADSL setup.

    NO I’ll call Wi-tribe :-P

    Umnieha :
    you ***k , my call to your network to ask u about UMAX showed me that you don’t even have a good network , why would I expect better from your UMAX (U***K) service !

    Wi-tribe:
    I hope you r the best ! Don’t let me down !