MTN introduces GoogleSMS

[Sandra Nassali]

In it’s bid to increase information accessibility to its customers, MTN {largest mobile operator in Africa and the Middle East} has introduced a smarter way of accessing information on their mobile phones. With GoogleSMS, all a client has to do is to send an SMS on any idea and get an instant answer.

For instance, if one wants to buy or sell something, get news updates {both local and international}, advice on sexual and reproductive health, agriculture and farming tips and many others, all they need to do is go to GoogleSMS. This will address how access to Knowledge/information can increase innovation,development and utility for social and economic growth in the long run.

GoogleSMS recognizes the importance of knowledge resources in supporting innovation, development and social progress and the opportunities that arise from technological
progress, particularly the Internet.

The service is also mindful of the need to overcome disparities in wealth, development and access to
knowledge resources since it can be used by all the telecom's subscribers; thus
recognizing the importance of protecting and supporting the interests of creative
individuals and communities.

Customers will also get the chance of accessing knowledge that transcends national and regional frontiers.

Today, the Internet has evolved into a global facility available to the public. With the availability of services like these ones, the use of traditional methods of accessing information will be distinctly limited to a few in Africa as the mobile phone has become the first I.T to have more users in developing countries than developed ones.

Therefore, since many people in developing countries have access to a mobile phone and since the digital technology is gaining more popularity by the day, access to helpful information in businesses, schools, CBOs like telecentres, etc for community/ individual development will not be a problem any-more.

Sustainable development efforts cannot be conceived without global communications and knowledge exchange. As such, services like GoogleSMS foster the realization of the likes.

Cheers