Neotel has launched a new product called NeoSmart that allows its fixed-wireless customers to make and receive calls using Neotel’s existing products from a dual-Sim mobile phone.
This means customers can take advantage of its fixed-wireless voice and data rates while also being able to use their preferred mobile network for redundancy or when they are outside Neotel’s coverage areas.
Moreover, NeoSmart allows customers to take advantage of smartphone features such as calendars and contacts. When a user wants to make a call, they are prompted to place it over either CDMA (Neotel’s fixed-wireless technology) or GSM (the mobile network). Similarly, users can receive calls on both their GSM and CDMA Sim cards using one handset.
At launch, the NeoSmart offering is available with one handset, the dual-Sim HTC Desire VC. Neotel MD Sunil Joshi says it will add additional handsets in months to come but that HTC’s handset offered the best overall experience and best suited the company’s needs.
Business solutions chief Abed Qadiri says Neotel is “open to discussing a value proposition with mobile operators” that could see it offer customers a fixed and mobile package under one umbrella.
“[NeoSmart] allows you to carry your landline as a part of your mobile handset,” Qadiri says. “It allows you to have a slot for your GSM carrier as well. Essentially, it means having a landline on the go.”
The result is that users can benefit from Neotel’s call rates and can also make use of Neotel products like “Free Call Zone”, which allows consumers to create caller groups and pay a fixed monthly fee of R49 that allows them to them call one another using Neotel’s network at no additional cost.
Because NeoSmart uses an Android smartphone, Qadiri says it is also possible to use the handset as a Wi-Fi hotspot. “The landline can carry your text messages and data as well,” he says. Users can choose CDMA or GSM when dialling or when creating a hotspot.
Though the focus will be on small businesses at first, Qadiri says the product is also available to retail consumers.
NeoSmart is available on a two-year contract. Prices range from R399 to R599 depending on the package and the out of bundle data rate is 8c/MB. — (c) 2013 NewsCentral Media
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