Monday, 28 April 2008

New SingTel Mobile Message Plus Offers “Value Added” Services

Singapore communications group SingTel has introduced a range of value-added short messaging service (SMS) features for its subscribers.

Working together with messaging and charging company Acision, SingTel customers will soon be able to get their hands on SMS Plus, a suite of new services that aims to help customers effectively manage and control the delivery of their SMSes to suit their individual schedules or preferences.

SingTel claims it is the first telco in Singapore to offer SMS Plus which includes the following services:

1. Automated Out-of-Office SMS: Customers can set to automatically send either a default or customised Out-of-Office SMS reply, similar to an Out-of-Office email.

2. SMS copy: Customers can copy incoming and outgoing SMSes to five email addresses or mobile numbers. The copying of SMSes to an email address provides an additional storage option for SMSes.

3. SMS divert: Customers have the flexibility to divert incoming SMSes to one email address and one mobile number.

“SMS volume growth is only the first part of the story for operators like SingTel Mobile. Once the volumes are established it is essential that the industry continues to innovate messaging services, adding features and functionalities to maintain messaging as a central tool in their lives,” said Boudewijn Pesch, Managing Director, Acision, Asia Pacific.

“Through continued innovation, operators can begin to differentiate themselves on the strength of their messaging service – and even secure greater revenues through value-added services.”

With more than 5.42 million subscribers and a mobile penetration rate of 116.1 %, the population of Singapore sends on average 800 million SMS messages per month.

According to Singtel’s vice president of consumer marketing, Mr. Wong Soon Nam, customers can look forward to more exciting SMS Plus features in the near future, such as Chinese text capability.