NTT DoCoMo intros "Multinumber" service, Push-to-Talk
posted October 21st 2005 8:20AM
NTT DoCoMo is introducing their "Multinumber" service in Japan, allowing users to have two phone numbers for the same handset. Rather than slicing and dicing those SIM cards, it's probably easier to pay the monthly 500 yen (~$4.32) fee, but what might be best part of the new service is how you can have the bills for each number be sent to two distinct locations: your private number bill comes to your house, and your work number bill goes to straight to Accounting. So far DoCoMo's 700i, 701i, 901i, and 902i series handsets support the new service. Oh, and the company is also introducing a Push-to-Talk service, that's similar to PTT services offered here in the US. Users will be charged either a flat 1,000 yen per month or pay 5 yen per push, which can last up to 30 seconds.
In the US - Talkplus is doing that already with their Mobile Manager product - check out their demo at http://www.demo.com/demonstrators/demo2005fall/55002.html
I wish I had thought of this idea first, I have two phones (one for work and one for personal) - it's stupid to carry both around.
Pricing for this product should be interesting when it launches Jan 1 - $10/month + .02.min, maybe $15/month Unlimited?!?
My wife and I have 'solved' this problem here in the US with Vonage. We were a cellular only family until roughly a year ago when we found out Vonage would allow you to simultaneously ring multiple numbers from an inbound call. We dropped my wife's work cell and just had our vonage number ring her cell phone when it rings. The added advantage is we have a 'free' home number to use as well as our cell phones. The bonus here is obviously that you can add any number of numbers for a minimal cost. It isn't perfect but it has solved our problem.