RSS 2.0 FeedJune 2011 Vol 34, Science and Technology Indaba
Company launches free SMS service
A FREE text messaging service enabling users to send free text messages to mobile phone networks in Zimbabwe using any web-enhanced devices such as computers and mobile phones has been launched.
A FREE text messaging service enabling users to send free text messages to mobile phone networks in Zimbabwe using any web-enhanced devices such as computers and mobile phones has been launched.
Free SMS Zimbabwe, a UK-based Zimbabwean company, said users of the platform available on www.text.co.zwcan text directly to any Econet, NetOne and or Telecel numbers and also receive return messages for no charge.
FREE SMS Zimbabwe managing director Pearson Pfavayi said the service, which would be supported by advertising, would help Zimbabweans frustrated with paying for text messages stay in touch with their families and friends for no charge.
“We believe in bridging the technological gap between first world and third world countries, hence offering the FREE service to upset the pricy texting in Zimbabwe” Pfavayi said.
“This FREE service is sustained through advertising thus an opportunity for advertisers. With a ratio of 6:1 of mobile phone users to PC users in Zimbabwe and following the introduction of the 3G network and the fibre optic, the mobile web is growing at an alarming rate and companies do not want to miss targeting this new emerging market.”
Pfavayi said users would also be able to send bulk text messages at one go as well as For SMS any international mobile phone numbers including in South Africa, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Angola, Namibia.
The company said with potentially thousands of people texting friends and family for free at any given time, companies keen to advertise are guaranteed an extensive potential market for their services and products.
“FREE SMS Zimbabwe allows SMS signature advertising on every outgoing message. Free messages being sent by registered users are limited to 100 characters leaving the 60 (a single message has 160 characters) for commercial advertising,” Pfavayi said.
“Companies can then buy this advert space (60 characters) and have advert campaigns sent out to millions of users thus capturing a heterogeneous market. Text messages have a 94 percent read rate thus advertisers are guaranteed a high read it.
