Islacom launches voice messaging service

First, it was text messaging.

Now, the country is once again preparing for a technological revolution, this time brought about by voice messaging.

The Philippines joins only two other countries – Hong Kong and Italy – to offer the voice-guided technology, which allows cellular phone users to do away with codes, keywords, and complicated instructions.

However, the Philippines will be the first in the world to offer the technology and at the same time allow subscribers to send a sound icon which was designed specifically for the local market.

Isla Communications, which is owned by Ayala Corp., Singapore Telecom International, and Deutsche Telekom, has brought to the country Touch Mobile which is a new digital cellular prepaid phone brand.

According to Islacom chief operating officer Gil Genio, this is a value-added service riding on the existing GSM platform. Islacom has earmarked $220 million this year for network expansion and marketing expenses.

Islacom hopes to be a strong number three in the cellular business a year from now. The top two spots are occupied by Globe Telecom and Smart Communications.

With just a single touch (dial 8140), Touch Mobile allows subscribers access to revolutionary and easy-to-use voice activated menus and value-added services. "Subscribers just have to listen voice-guided menus to get information or select voice messages," Ana Singson, assistant vice president for marketing, said.

Touch Mobile allows a subscriber to send a sound icon (there are over 70 pre-recorded icons) or personalized voice message to another mobile subscriber.

Voice mail retrieval and voice info rate is P3 per minute while the sending of pre-recorded voice messages is P3 per message. Tones and icons cost P25 per download while text messaging is P1 per send in excess of the 120 free text allocations per month.

Singson expressed optimism that despite the stiff competition in the GSM cellular arena, Touch Mobile has found a unique proposition that answers the need of a significant portion of the market – those that use technology as a working tool and do not like complications in using a cellular phone.

Aside from the affordable rates and voice-centric features, she noted that Touch Mobile can do what all the other GSM phones can do such as text messaging and access to SMSD-based value added services.

Initially, there will be six Touch Mobile prepaid phonekits available in the market – Nokia 3310, P6,290; Philips Fisio 311 for P4,890; Sendo S200 for P4,890; Nokia 5110i for P4,390; Panasonic GD 35 for P4,190; and Siemens A36 at P2,990. A simpack kit costs P690 each with free P300 initial pre-loaded value while call cards are available at P300 and P500 denominations.