Voice Communication Solutions
Despite the rapid growth in cellular subscribers in developing countries, penetration is estimated at only 21%. Approximately 4 billion people do not subscribe to cellular phone services due their prohibitive costs. (purchase of a handset, high minimum airtime re-charge requirements and lack of access to electricity)
They also do not have bank accounts or access to credit and are therefore out of the mainstream economic system. The SimPhony Terminal is placed in a store operated by a local entrepreneur. The SimPhony SIM card has a microprocessor, memory and interacts with the telephone/data terminal and network. This enables the end user to obtain a dedicated private cell phone number without purchasing a handset and enjoy a rich array of features. In essence, it converts the payphone user from a random caller to a cellular operator subscriber who can be identified and reached. It also converts the end user from a one-way communicator (one who can only reach out via an outward bound call made at a payphone) to a two-way communicator (one who can also be reached via voicemail and SMS messages). The SimPhony SIM card also introduces users to advanced features such as a personal address book, "who called", "notify me", and other services supported by the cellular operator.
The SimPhony SIM card is advertised to end users as "Number for Life" because the number can be ported to their handsets if and when they become handset owners. The SimPhony SIM card can also become an important business tool. For example, businesses are distributing it to their employees and using it as an automated time and attendance system.