Cell C launches QR Code campaign

Jan Vermeulen

Jan Vermeulen is a technology journalist and web developer at MyBroadband. After receiving a Computer Engineering degree at the University of Pretoria he worked at...

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QR Codes are far from a new technology but Cell C CEO, Lars P Reichelt, says companies have been slow to realise their full potential, until now.

“PhotoCode is commonplace in Japan and Cell C is proud to be the innovation leader in South Africa, together with BeeTagg, the Swiss based market leader,” says Reichelt.

The code standard allows for more data to be encoded than on a traditional barcode. By way of example contact details have been encoded and shown in a normal QR Code below. This can be decoded with an application developed to read QR Codes.

Normal QR Code containing a vCard

Cell C PhotoCode for a 5FM Band Site

“PhotoCode, powered by BeeTagg Pro, enables inanimate matter to come alive, for example, a newspaper can provide access to a video clip, a shopping window provide information about items exhibited, a t-shirt can carry an electronic business card and a billboard can provide access to a concert or provide a link to a website,” says Reichelt.

He says PhotoCode will also allow select South African bands to share their latest tracks, images, wallpapers and ringtones with a wider audience than before. South Africans will be able to download this content and more using PhotoCode.

Cell C will introduce PhotoCode to the public in conjunction with media partners, YOU, Huisgenoot, People, Sunday Times, The Times, 5FM, MultiChoice and Oppikoppi and it will be will be rolled out further via retailers, restaurants and bars, amongst others.

Cell C’s PhotoCodes can unlock a host of new experiences for customers and Reichelt says new applications are being devised almost daily. “All customers have to do is download the PhotoCode reader, then point and snap,” he says.

Testing of the PhotoCode provided (shown below) on an HTC Desire Android phone has been unsuccessful thus far but it worked perfectly on a BlackBerry Bold 9700. Neither the highly rated Barcode Scanner, nor the official BeeTagg software (downloaded from Android Market and from the official Cell C branded BeeTagg site) seem to be able to read the code.

The BeeTagg software also doesn’t seem to read a normal vCard encoded in a QR Code (such as the contact details depicted previously).

At the time of writing Cell C’s technical support was tending to the issue with the HTC Desire.

Cell C also provided the following installation instructions and terms and conditions:

Step 1

Get the PhotoCode reader:

1. SMS your name to 32357
2. You’ll receive an sms with a download link
3. Click on the link to download

Step2

Keep a look out for a Cell C PhotoCode in participating media

Step 3

When you spot one, snap a photograph of it using your PhotoCode reader

Terms and conditions

1. PhotoCode is available to all networks
2. Application requires a WAP-enabled phone with a camera
3. Sms’s to download application free to Cell C customers. There is a R1 charge to MTN and Vodacom customers
4. Data charges apply when using PhotoCode
5. Errors will be billed

Cell C’s custom QR Codes << comments and discussion

*Update: Moved the locations of the pictures around and provided captions for clarity.

*Update 2: We have received reports that the BeeTagg application successfully decodes the Cell C PhotoCode on a variety of Sony Ericsson and Nokia handsets, as well as an HTC Hero (another Android phone). The issue with the HTC Desire doesn’t seem to apply to all Android smartphones.