Vodacom today launched its Yebo! Internet e-mail telephone, the first production unit of its kind in the world to offer `pay-as-you-use` access to e-mail without a PC.
The e-mail telephone is connected to a standard fixed-line telephone jack and the simple design makes it very easy to use, even for non-computer literate users. The units will be connected to Vodacom`s Yebo! Internet PoP modems with a pay-as-you-use flat tariff of 99c per minute in peak time and 41c per minute in off-peak (including VAT).
"This e-mail telephone lends itself to a myriad of applications and is an important step forward in the vertical integration of information mediums," said Alan Knott-Craig, group managing director of Vodacom.
"Linking up to information service providers, it could become a veritable Pointcast system feeding users information on any subject they choose. This could range from financial information, which is already in place with Vodacom and Dow Jones` Shareline service, to banking information or news feeds. The e-mail telephone is an exciting value-added product, not only to offer our more than 670 000 subscribers, but also to people without computers."
The e-mail system will be able to print out e-mail messages on any fax machine by using Vodacom`s fax on demand service and will also eventually be able to send faxes. It can also send short-messages (SMS) to Vodacom cellphones.
The e-mail telephone was introduced to Vodacom by Bulldog Technologies, who have given Vodacom exclusive distribution rights in South Africa. It was developed in the USA by Uniden.
Vodacom has ordered the first 1 400 units to install in their dealer network, pending Telkom approval. "The e-mail telephone will provide an instant communication tool with our dealer network and enable us to notify them immediately of tariff plans, new products or important developments. The telephone`s software can be altered remotely to adapt to our communication needs as they change," Mr Knott-Craig said.
He added that a particularly useful feature of the telephone is that it fits effortlessly into the total wireless loop and give rural areas instant access to communication. "In the light of the Universal Service Agency`s aims to provide communication to disadvantaged communities, this could become a meaninful development.
"We also see a market niche for home users who don`t want to be cut off from their e-mail connection when they leave the office, but don`t necessarily want to duplicate their computer and modem set-up at home." The telephone`s features include a built-in modem at 14 400 bps, an easy-to-use menu system, automatic message retrieval, calendar with notepad and a speakerphone.
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