Autobar: Smartcom's answer to escalating cellphone bills

In keeping with cellular technology and innovation, Smartcom, one of SA's leading cellular service providers, has added another unique product to its mix of offerings - Smartcom AutoBar.

Launched as a value-added service, Smartcom AutoBar - an airtime credit limit service - assists cellular phone users in keeping tabs on their monthly call costs.

Says Bertus Levendal, financial officer, Smartcom: "There is no doubt that people are using cellular phones more and more. Businesses have to ensure that their employees are contactable at all times, and families need the reassurance of safety and instant contact. In this, however, are the inherent problems of cellular abuse or over use.

"AutoBar has been designed to assist people in controlling call costs. Often high invoices are blamed on the service provider and not the user. AutoBar is ideal in that you determine the limit you wish to set for the user. Once that limit has been reached, an SMS is sent to you notifying you that you are either approaching your limit or have reached your limit. It is up to the individual to determine whether it is necessary to increase this limit, make a payment to the company or wait for the next billing month where your limit is reset."

Once the limit has been reached, AutoBar restricts the user from making any outgoing calls, sending SMSs or utilising other outbound services including unused free minutes, unused free SMSs and access to voicemail. The user, however, is be able to receive incoming calls and text messages as well as make free calls to Vodacom's emergency service by dialling 112.

"Despite the fact that Smartcom targets high-end cellular users, we need to respect the fact that even these individuals need to be able have some sort of control over costs - especially cellphone expenses which have to date been a difficult cost to contain and manage."