Cell phone designed for senior citizens launched in SA

BBB-SA director Mervyn Visagie said the three Doro cellphone products to be marketed in South Africa are targeted at people over the age of 60 and have been fully certified and approved by ICASA.

"Senior citizens tend to find it increasingly difficult to understand and to use new technology as they grow older. Besides the difficulty of trying to deal with the complexity of certain features, the ageing process makes it more difficult for them to read, listen to and handle devices that would otherwise make their lives a little easier," Visagie said.

Alarm button triggers calls

"Doro does just that - by producing cell phones that are easier to read, easier to understand and use, easier to hear and easier to handle. In addition, the Doro handsets feature an alarm button that triggers calls and SMS to five pre-selected numbers in case of emergency. The alarm calls continue until one is answered to provide 'peace-of-mind' for the user as well as loved ones," he said.

Doro chief executive officer Jérome Arnaud said Doro's entry into South Africa was influenced by the maturity of the country's cell phone industry and market research that indicates that a high percentage of almost five million elderly South Africans are not being specially catered for when it comes to keeping in touch with family and friends with a device that is easy to use.

"Doro's experience in more than 30 countries confirms that people over the age of 60 care less about extreme functionality and gimmicky features and more about being able to easily and comfortably use a cell phone," Arnaud said.

The Doro handsets will be available in selected cellphone retail outlets before the end of the year.