Google’s email service Gmail has announced the introduction of Gmail SMS in Kenya, Nigeria and Ghana. However, mail to SMS is not a new concept here in Africa.
“Email has become a part of everyday life. There’s so much you do with it: apply for a job, make an inquiry, get notifications from your social network, receive photos or an invitation that makes you smile, and just communicate back and forth with your friends,” Google stated.
This new service is embracing the technology of accessing internet services such as email even with phones that don’t have data capabilities.
ForgetMeNot Africa has been in the forefront in this technology in Africa and it has so far managed to engage big telecom companies such as Safaricom and Essar Yu Mobile to implement their solutions.
In the early days, Safaricom introduced its own version of SMS to Mail service but the service seemed to have been abandoned with the introduction of internet enabled phones.
“However, sometimes barriers arise between you and your email. What if you’re not by a computer? Or your phone is not connected to the internet? Or the internet is down or too slow, so that emails just won’t load?” Geva Rechav, Product Manager, Emerging Markets at Google posed.
“Gmail SMS automatically forwards your emails as SMS text messages to your phone and you can respond by replying directly to the SMS. You can control the emails received by replying with commands such as MORE, PAUSE and RESUME. Additionally, compose a new email as an SMS and send to any email address recipient – who will find your message in the right email conversation thread!” Google said.
The cost of the service applies to normal service provider charges. That is when sending an email through the system. Receiving mails on text will be free of charge.
