Mask yourself on your mobile

Stephen Tong | Jun 20, 2007

cMask is Singapore's and, supposedly, one of Asia's very first two-way anonymous mobile communications services to allow chatting via SMS or voice call. From a consumer perspective, dating seems to be one of the obvious uses and it seems that was the idea given that GlobalRoam and Singapore.cupid.com teamed up to introduce cMask.

The dynamics are as follows. Let's take it that "A" wants to contact "B". Now A registers and adds B's real number to cMask, after which A is given an cMask number, which is effectively a random fixed line number. A types the cMask number appended with B's contact number. B then receives the call and sees only the cMask number of A.

Why the need to conceal your identity, you might ask? Well, if B starts pestering A too much, A can simply block B and obviously you won't need to go through the hassle of changing your phone number.

As this is a very new service, users can register their demo accounts for free. The actual launch is currently pending Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) regulatory approval. For the actual usage cost, local incoming and outgoing SMS within Singapore cost S$0.10 each, while text to and from other countries costs S$0.15. Calls to and from other countries vary and can be viewed in detail at cMask's Web site.

Editors' note:

June 21, 2007--We have amended the text to mention that cMask is a team up of the two mentioned parties and that A is given a cMask number as opposed to an Interactive Voice Response number.

More CommunicAsia 2007 coverage here.