SINGAPORE: A local company has come up with a new service that targets cyber-savvy singles.
In what could change the dating scene here in Singapore, Global Roam has launched a mobile service that allows users to give away their phone number, anonymously.
The new technology allows users to create a new phone number using an existing line, in just a few seconds.
The person on the other line will only be able to see this new phone number, via caller ID.
Developers of the new service recognise that many prefer not to reveal their real phone number.
"Most people prefer to keep these identities anonymous, so they don't wish to reveal their true address, their real phone numbers. So our service comes into play in the fact that it can protect them from potential harassment or potential unwanted calls or SMSes for that matter," said Rick Ho, Product Development Manager, Global Roam.
Undergrad Joyce Woon, an intern at Global Roam, is one of the first to try the service.
She said, "Some people do SMS me strange messages and I do not like that. And if this goes on I'd have to terminate my telco (number) which brings a lot of inconvenience. So with this service I can just block them."
The company is not just targeting youth like Joyce.
"Online property agents, for example, who have their own web presence... actually use our service to get in touch with customers. Instead of normal private numbers, which people don't like to pick up, you see actual numbers that people want to pick up," said Mr Ho.
And if criminals like loan sharks want to use this service to remain anonymous, it is too bad for them as the company will be able to trace their original phone numbers.
The company has a revenue projection of US$15 million over the next three years and is already working with telcos in China.
It will be launching the service here at next week's CommunicAsia 2007. - CNA/yy
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