Vodacom has brought a cellphone to the market that caters for elderly users, who often find dense technology cumbersome, unnecessary and expensive.
The operator yesterday introduced the Vodafone 155, aimed at the elderly market and also suitable for customers with poor vision, hearing loss or limited dexterity.
An answer to the challenge older people face in keeping up with technology while having to deal with vision, hearing and other health-related problems, Vodacom says the handset was designed to help simplify the mobile communication experience for these customers.
The phone has a big button keypad, noise cancellation technology, extra loud volume and is compatible with hearing aids. The handset also has an emergency SOS button to alert people nearby and to trigger calls or text messages to four pre-designated numbers stored on the phone.
Phil Patel, Vodacom's chief consumer officer, says the operator started providing accessible products and services for people with specific needs in 2004. “Since then, we've launched products for the blind, partially sighted, the elderly and hearing impaired customers so that they can also experience the benefits of mobile technology.”
The Vodafone 155, says Patel, is designed to enhance the mobile communication experience of people with specific needs. "For example, the SOS emergency feature helps to provide peace of mind for customers and users who are concerned about the wellbeing of their elderly friends or relatives.”
The Vodafone 155 is available on Vodacom's TopUp 49 plan, at R39 per month, on a 24-month contract. The contract includes the handset and R49 worth of airtime per month. The recommended selling price on prepaid is R399, which includes a starter pack.
The phone is available from the various Vodacom outlets. To place an order, customers can contact Vodacom Direct at 082 1950 or dial 1950 free from a Vodacom cellphone. For more details, customers can call the Specific Needs Contact Centre on 12580, free from a Vodacom phone, or 082 12 580 from any other phone. Customer can also send an e-mail to 12580@vodacom.co.za or send an SMS to 12580.
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