This reminds me of Ham Radio, taken to a completely different scale via the mobile, though descriptions of mobile dating and mobile social networking would also be valid. Operators across India have been running an anonymous voice based chat service from Cellebrum that, it is claimed, has around 300,000 subscribers across 17 circles, the Mint reports. Similar services from other companies apparently have around 400,000 users. Users create (audio) profiles, are assigned 5 digit numbers and pay Rs. 3 per minute to access and contact users.
The opportunity in voice lies in the fact that not everyone is comfortable with texting, and as Harit Nagpal, Marketing head at Hutchison Essar puts it – “it is difficult for a 60-year-old man to pass off as an 18-year-old college girl.” There are issues, however: Rs. 3 per minute is expensive, and charges apply for calling up users even if they don’t pick up. More at the Mint.
I’m wondering if any of the existing mobile social networks (ACL Wireless has Frenzo and Indiagames has Tadka Live) are planning to incorporate voice into their service…See a profile and click-to-call?
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