Bharti Airtel has entered into an agreement with Twitter, allowing over 110 million Airtel customers to send and receive tweets via SMS.
With this deal, Airtel customers can receive text messages from people they opt to follow via SMS and send text messages to a short code (53000) to tweet or message someone directly on Twitter. They will also be able to access links included in SMS tweets. Till date, Twitter services work either on the web or on a WAP site. New Twitter users can also sign up using SMS.
Atul Bindal, president, mobile services, Bharti Airtel, said in a company statement, “We are delighted to introduce the globally popular Twitter service to Airtel users. We have always believed in bringing the best and most innovative services from across the world first for our users. With social media becoming immensely popular in India and across the world, we now empower the Airtel customer community of over 110 million to follow or provide tweets while on the move and at their convenience.” The new service is compatible with all handsets and offers fast mobile access to Twitter. The service is live from October 15 for all Airtel mobile users across India.
“Twitter has mobile DNA given its initial design focusing on the ubiquity of SMS. Working with world class network operators, such as, Bharti Airtel is essential for Twitter to build a valuable Messaging platform that facilitates the open exchange of information.” said Biz Stone, co-founder, Twitter, in the statement.
Twitter mentioned in its blog (blog.twitter.com), “We worked quickly to establish full SMS service in India with the largest operator because organic growth in the region has been unusually strong and there is huge potential for positive impact.”