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 said users of the platform available on www.text.co.zw can text directly to any Econet, NetOne and or Telecel numbers and also receive return messages for no charge.
The company said recipients of text messages do not need to be online to get the messages Pfavayi, a consultant IT lecturer and project manager for zimHosts.com Webdesign and WebHosting.
“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, who is in Zimbabwe to launch the service and bring more investors on board, said users would also be able to send bulk messages at one go as well as SMS any international mobile numbers in countries such as Angola, Hong Kong, Kenya, Namibia, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia and South Africa.
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 products and services.
“FREE SMS Zimbabwe allows SMS signature advertising on every outgoing message. Free messages being sent by registered users are limited to 100 characters leaving 60 (a single message has 160 characters) for commercial advertising,” Pfavayi said.
“Companies can then buy this advertising space (60 characters) and send marketing information sent out to millions of users thus capturing a heterogeneous market. Text messages have a 94 percent read rate and 25- 40 percent of received texts are always forwarded thus advertisers are guaranteed a wide market.”