February 13, 2005
Dialling your way out of dates from hell
In Australia, Virgin Mobile's "SOS RING" launches just in time for Valentine's Day. The new service, devised following an online customer survey, will enable customers to discreetly dial 767 - or SOS - from dating hell, reports The Age.
"They will receive a call back almost immediately and a recorded voice will provide an excuse for leaving, at a cost of 25 cents.
The recorded service asks the customer to calmly repeat phrases such as "Not in the toilet, Grandad" or "No, no itching, why?", then make their apologies before leaving.
The service follows the introduction of Virgin's "Dialling Under the Influence", which allows customers to block their phone from calling a former lover or boss before they embark on a big night out in an effort to avoid embarrassing drunken declarations of love or anger."
Related service from Virgin Mobile USA:
-- Rescue Rings - Giving whole new meaning to "saved by the bell", Virgin Mobile USA offered it's subscribers the option to set up a "Rescue Ring to" escape any situation. They only need to schedule a time when they want to receive a call. "Save yourself from bad dates, boring meetings, or any other situation that needs interrupting". (This post dates back to May 2003 and I can't seem to find the service online now).
The Permanent Link to this page is: http://www.textually.org/ringtonia/archives/2005/02/007101.htm