Mobile Interactive Technology (MIT), the m-commerce, messaging solutions and interactive platforms business, which is part of Mobile Interactive Group (MIG), has been selected to host and run voice and SMS services for a new ad-supported Directory Enquiry services provider, 68 100. Launched this week, the service – available exclusively from mobile phones – will be available on a dedicated short code 68100 from all UK mobile devices.
68 100 is hosted on MIT's Voice Gateway platform at a flat rate fee of 35p per minute on all mobile networks except O2 where calls are charged at 25p per minute. The 68100 number is around 70% cheaper than the most widely used 118 numbers for a typical directory enquiry call.
To use the service, the customer calls calls 68100 @ 35p/minute and talks to a trained, UK-based operator who will search for the requested number. In the meantime, the customer listens to a 20-second branded ad from one of a number of national advertisers. Launch advertisers include LV, Dell, HomeServe, Fitness First and Sky.
The requested number is then provided and the user is given the option of pressing 1 to connect to the requested number (at the same 35p/25p rate) or 2 to take up the advertisers offer. Either way, when the call has ended, a free, automated SMS is sent to the caller with the advertiser offer and their requested phone number.
MIT's Voice Gateway is the right platform for the 68 100 directory enquiries and information service as it has allowed us to present a low cost, no hidden charges model to all our customers, says Isabel Magan Campbell, Director and Co-Founder of 68 100. MITs high-capacity, high-volume nature makes it ideal for the volume of traffic the service is expected to receive. We believe it's essential to be transparent with our customers to offer a flat rate fee, irrespective of the caller's mobile network operator. Consumers get a good deal on price and will also receive some great promotions from the advertisers signed to the service.