Cable & Wireless Optus today gave its contract mobile customers the ability to use their personal computer to send web-based SMS (short message service) to other mobile customers on the Optus network.

Ms Finola Thompson, General Manager Mobile Internet & Data, Cable & Wireless Optus said web SMS would further add to the rapid growth of SMS usage, and was just in time for season's greetings.

"Our customers currently send over 10 million SMS messages a week from their mobiles, now we are giving them the ability to SMS individuals or a group from their computer.

"Using our specially created website, customers can send one SMS message to up to 20 people at the same time," said Ms Thompson.

"If Christmas cards are inconvenient, you can send season's greetings to all your Optus mobile friends," she said.

"This makes it easy for sports coaches to SMS the whole team if training is cancelled due to bad weather or for employers to SMS their staff with the details of a meeting."

Optus mobile customers can register for Web SMS on the Optus website: www.info2you.com.au.

Web SMS will normally cost 20 cents per message received, per recipient. For those quick off the mark, Optus will be giving away 200 Web SMS per month free to customers until the end of January 2001.

Web SMS is currently only available to Optus Mobile Digital GSM customers.

Useful SMS language for the Festive Season:

For more information:
Louise Ingram
Cable & Wireless Optus
Tel: 02 9342 5042