M1 DataSave backs up your phone's data for S$2.14 per month

Damian Koh | Nov 04, 2008

(Credit: M1)

Backing up your phone's data can be a chore, especially if it requires you to configure multiple settings. Not for MobileOne (M1) subscribers, though, if the Singapore-based telco has anything to say about it.

The operator has launched a DataSave subscription service which will allow its users to back up content on their phones to a secure system for a flat S$2.14 (US$1.52) monthly subscription fee. According to M1, users won't be billed for the airtime to use the service, though postpaid customers may incur minimal connection charges.

The DataSave client currently works on Symbian phones and handsets which support Java or SyncML settings (click here for a list of supported handsets). What the app does is it sends the contacts, events, tasks, photos, music, videos and SMSes in the phone's memory wirelessly via the data network to the telco's system. Once the backup process is completed, users can also log in to their accounts to view and manage their content on M1's Web site.

(Credit: M1)

There are limitations. The Java client doesn't support the backup of SMSes, while phones running on SyncML settings will back up only contacts, events, tasks and notes. And if you are wondering whether data in the SIM card will be backed up, the answer is no.

We were told that there is no limit on the data you can store on the system. However, if you had previously synced 8GB of content on the system, you won't be able to restore all the data on a phone with for example, only 4GB of memory. The M1 spokesperson added that the service is also pegged to the user's SIM. So in the event that you misplaced your handset and you called in to suspend the line, the service will be interrupted, too.

To minimize intervention, users can configure the Symbian app to back up data at specific times of the day. The Java app, however, backs up the data at 12pm daily, every Monday, or the first of each month.

If you are an M1 subscriber and have been holding back on backing up data on your phone's memory, the DataSave service is probably something worth considering.

Filed under: Mobile Phones
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