Ttrumpet, a new mobile application that enjoys the backing of billionaire businessman Patrice Motsepe, will be launched in the next few weeks, offering consumers access to voice-over-Internet protocol (VoIP) services, along with instant messaging and a patented online vouchering system.
Co-founder Grant Theis says Ttrumpet is a platform that will offer a number of communication and location-based features to its users, including a private messaging service called “Uber Privé”.
What may be of interest to businesses are tools that will allow merchants and brands to offer vouchers, online shopping deals, location search functionality and even augmented reality features to consumers.
Ttrumpet has also developed a credit system that will allow consumers to use credits for airtime, data and international calls at competitive rates.
“Ttrumpet is not just a call and messaging app,” says Theis. “It’s a platform that allows businesses, retailers and brands to provide value to consumers.”
He adds that although Ttrumpet will be aimed at the global market, in South Africa it claims it has tailored the platform to offer more value than any other “over the top” rival.
“We want to offer the South African market a simplified mobile experience of purchasing credit that can be used for airtime, mobile data, international roaming data and Wi-Fi in a single application.”
The company says it holds 22 patents in the use and delivery of vouchers on digital platforms and will launch the updated apps in June. The first revision of the app is already available in the App Store and on Google Play, but it excludes the messaging and voucher components for now.
Theis began his career at Cable & Wireless in the UK. He moved to South Africa in 1994 and started Sprint’s operations here.
Sprint was later bought by GlobalOne, which in turn was acquired by UUNet and later Verizon and then MTN.
After his tenure as strategist and business development executive at UUNet, Theis, along with a group of shareholders he declines to name, started IT investment holding company FastComm.
FastComm’s shareholders consist of six prominent businessmen, including Motsepe, who is the largest shareholder. Ttrumpet is 100% owned by FastComm. — © 2014 NewsCentral Media