SWISSCOM INTRODUCES PRIVACY-PROTECTED MOBILE DIRECTORY SERVICE

Introduction follows along the lines of the service introduced by Belgacom. Swisscom introduced a new service called CONNECT 1811 that connects callers to unlisted Swisscom Mobile NATEL subscribers. Swisscom offers a variety of NATEL packages, including: NATEL easy and NATEL easy liberty, available without subscription; and NATEL basic xtra-liberty and NATEL swiss xtra-liberty plus, available with monthly subscriptions.

To use the service, a caller within Switzerland dials 1811 and states the name and address of the NATEL customer--the called party--who the caller wishes to reach. The called party is notified of the call and can take the call by pressing 5 or saying CONNECT, or can defer the call by pressing 6 or saying SMS, in which case the called party will receive information about the caller by SMS. If the called party is not available, the information is stored for later retrieval.

Because this is an opt-in service, customers who desire to be reachable via this service are invited to send a free text message, "start connect," to 444. Swisscom says the service will begin within 24 hours. Customers may change the address on record by placing a voice call to Swisscom. The service can be stopped as easily by sending a text message, "stop connect," to 444. Business customers must call toll-free to 0800 88 99 11 to opt-in.

This service can connect callers to all private NATEL customers and business customers who have registered. This service cannot reach customers under 16 and fixed line customers who are ex-directory. Commercial use is prohibited.

The cost of the service, which is free of charge to the called party, varies. All callers are charged CHF 1.50 (1 USD = 1.09214 CHF) for the connection, CH 0.70 for the first minute, and CHF 0.22 for additional minutes. NATEL subscription customers pay an additional CHF 0.30 per minute, and prepaid customers pay an additional CHF 0.80 per minute. The cost for callers from other providers depends on each provider.

After a test trial, Belgacom unveiled a similar service in December, 2008 that allows callers to reach unlisted numbers. A significant difference between the services is that the Belgacom service uses the mobile voice mail notification feature, rather than SMS. -Stuart Whitaker