For only P10, SMZ subscribers can have unlimited calls and texts a day to Sun subscribers within the Bicol region zone. For P15 of SMZ load, subscribers can avail themselves of unlimited calls and texts plus 10 free texts to other networks in the region comprising of six provinces and seven cities.

The provinces are Albay, Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Sorsogon and Masbate.

The rate is almost half the regular rate enjoyed by Sun subscribers which the Sun management now claims to be 1 million.

According to Dave Marcelino, incoming SunCel regional manager, SMZ subscribers can also text subscribers outside the Bicol region if they also have the regular Sun load.

A three-hour presentation of SunCel products was held with selected members of the local media on Thursday last week at Embarcadero de Legazpi. During the session, media practitioners questioned why the SunCel network has an erratic signal, making postpaid subscribers feel they were cheated of their mobile-phone service.

Mugs Garcia, SunCel public relation officer, said efforts are being made to improve the company’s service but could not give a timetable.

Garcia could not assure the media if the partnership of PLDT Smart Communications with Sun would also boost SunCel’s signal capability.

A postpaid subscriber said he was traveling the Tabaco City-Legazpi City 30-kilometer route and talking with someone in his SunCel unit when their conversation was cut due to the absence of a signal. He lamented that both cities have cell sites but covered only very short distances.

As a launching promotion, Suncel gave free cell-phone units to the attending media practitioners with a free SMZ SIM and a guarantee of P400 worth of monthly load for an indefinite period.