Cell C announces Mobile 2 cloud service

 New MyTools account mashes web with mobile to deliver innovative new customer services

At a Silicon Cape event in Cape Town last night, Cell C announced the Beta launch of its new MyTools service – a world first introduction of web 2.0 telephony services from an MNO. Available to Cell C customers only, MyTools delivers a mash-up of Mobile telephony and the Internet to give its users a unique range of new services.

A cloud-based service, MyTools will for the first time, give customers full control of their mobile services. Using MyTools, customers will now be able to control how their calls and messages are handled and share them with friends via email or through social media sites such as Facebook. Customers will even be able to receive and forward voicemails via e-mail.

Part of Cell C's strategy to transform mobile services into a brand new experience, MyTools entrenches the company's position as an innovation leader in South Africa. Developed by fonYou, a global technology company based in Barcelona, the MyTools service is accessible through the internet, mobile phone browsers, smartphones and Facebook applications.

"In 2010 alone South Africa increased its Facebook user base by 1 million people. Today 3.4 million South Africans have a Facebook profile. With numbers of this magnitude it is vital that mobile technology transforms to give customers the best experience possible and MyTools does just that," said Lars P. Reichelt CEO of Cell C.

"It's Cell C's first step into mobile 2.0 - an exciting new product that provides our customers with the best and most advanced mobile services and technology in the world. I have no doubt that through this bespoke platform, Cell C users will be able to revolutionize the way they communicate. It is Beta for now and there are many more add-ons and improvements happening in the next couple of months. But already now it is fun to use and has loads of potential."

To use this service, Cell C customers need to sign-up on an online VIP list on the Cell C website for "MyTools" (www.cellc.co.za/mytools), at no extra cost. MyTools will be launched as a Beta service and customers are encouraged to send their feedback, which will be used to improve the product.  

Customers will be able to use the application on their personal computers and laptops to manage their calls and their contacts just as they would with their e-mail service. Users will also be able to filter calls intelligently, create personalised voicemail messages per contact, use a voicemail box, as well as maintain an interaction register of all calls and SMS's.

Cell C runs South Africa's most advanced network in 13 cities across the country. "We remain fully committed to providing affordable, fast and world-class internet access to all South Africans.  We are working around the clock to bring "whoosh" to 67% of South Africa's population by mid-year," said Reichelt.

Cell C is ranked the number one internet service provider (ISP) in South Africa by Ookla, the global leader in broadband speed testing and offers South Africa's most affordable internet.