We Want To Help Save You Money (and Trees)!

Today I came across an article on PCMAG.com about a popular trend in Southern Korea that could potentially be a great way to not only immediately save customers money, but save a few trees as well. What is this trend? Coupons, or I should say “mobile” coupons.

Customers have a bar code sent to their phone (similar to the plane ticket concept I wrote about a few months back) via text message and have it scanned at the register. It saves paper and also keeps customers’ wallets full.

When I stumbled upon this article, it reminded me of our website. Although our coupons don’t reach our customers via text message, we still give the option to print out coupons and bring them into our stores. Plus, Car-Tel believes in being green and knowing we save a few trees by having our coupons online puts a smile on our faces.

Currently, we have our "Refer a Friend and Receive $20" coupon on our homepage. Just have your friend print it out, have them fill in your name (if you referred them to us) and then have them bring it to any of our seven convenient locations. When we check our system and see your name listed as a referral, we will send you $20 as a thank you.

We want to know what kind of coupons you would be interested for using in our stores. Comment on here or write us at contact@car-tel.com and let us know what kind of awesome deals you want to receive.

—Kimberly Salesky
Marketing Assistant

Third World Countries Receive Emergency Services Via Free Mobile Services

Technology has slowly been increasing in Third World countries with the help of charities (such as One Laptop Per Child, which happens to be part of our Project P.H.O.N.E. donations), but what about companies with profit motive? Ericsson, one of the top Telecommunications providers in the world, has teamed up with Zain (Kuwait-based wireless carrier), Sony Ericsson and the Millennium Villages Project at Columbia’s Earth Institute to bring toll-free mobile service to remote areas in Africa.

These toll-free services are intended to save lives of these African citizens in order to provide emergency services, such as medical care. Up to 5,000 citizens in Dertu, Kenya that have been given temporary mobile services so far, a first for the region.

According to Richard Martin’s article “The Next Billion: Mobile Technology Saves Lives In Sub-Saharan Africa” on Information Week’s blog OvertheAir, the project intends to provide a solar-powered network to approximately 400,000 citizens in 10 countries.

Although these services will not make a dramatic decease of Africa’s impoverished conditions, I believe it will make a positive difference in mortality rates. Having mobile connectivity to emergency services and health personnel could potentially save lives and help maintain a higher population density for these countries.

How do you feel about this wireless service project? Do you think it will help these countries in any way?

—Kimberly Salesky
Marketing Assistant

Spring Into May with Car-Tel Communications!

May is here—the flowers have bloomed, the trees are green, the weather is beautiful and Car-Tel Communications already has quite an active month.

To start off the month, we have two new phones from AT&T to add to our variety of devices—the LG Vu and the Sony Ericsson Z750a (comes in gray, pink and purple).

The LG Vu is very similar to the iPhone—very attractive, interactive touchscreen, 2 megapixel camera with autofocus and video record, affordable and much more. If you’ve been dreaming about the iPhone, but aren’t able to afford it, I recommend the LG Vu. It’s literally the iPhone’s long-lost twin and won’t hurt your wallet.

The Sony Ericsson Z750a also has a very tasteful design, easy-to-navigate and a great battery life. I just purchased the Z750a (in purple) and love it. I think it’s one of the best phones I’ve owned yet (and I’ve owned a lot of phones). If you’re looking for a very practical and easy-to-use, yet unique device, I recommend the Z750a.

I also would like to congratulate our Marketing Manager, Toni Verdi, and our Broomall Store Manager, Hooman Mobasser on winning Most Informative Booth at the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce Business Expo!

Hooman is also featured as the Spotlight Member in the Delaware Chamber of Commerce’s May/June issue of Business Connects, check it out!

Be sure to visit your Car-Tel Communications this month for awesome deals and excellent service. We hope to “connect” with you soon!

—Kimberly Salesky
Marketing Assistant