By Sally Watson, 21 July 2000 18:20
NEWS This week saw the launch of a numerical web address system designed to make access to internet sites via mobile devices simpler and faster. UK company Bango.net allows users to mirror a web address with a specific Bango number, removing the need for a long URL. Ray Anderson, founder and CEO of Bango.net, told silicon.com: "Getting to a WAP site is a nightmare unless you have Bango numbers." The company trialled its numerical system in Cambridge, signing up over 3,500 users including theatres, cinemas and estate agents. Users can pick available numbers based on birthdays, postcodes and phone numbers. According to Anderson the system has particular benefits for global companies dealing with foreign customers. "How can you guarantee a person who speaks Chinese or Spanish can remember your URL? The answer is simple - numbers," he said. The company has patented its address system but denied it would run into the same problems as the domain name system. "We've looked and learned at the problems they had," said Anderson. "This is a different system - numbers aren't trademarks." Customers will initially receive a number for free, but the company plans to charge on an annual basis. For more information, see www.bango.net
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