Cable & Wireless Optus today made its short message service (SMS) available to pre-paid mobile customers just in time for the Olympics.
Finola Thompson, General Manager, Mobile Internet and Data, Cable & Wireless Optus said Optus Express, Ozitalk and Boost pre-paid mobile customers would be quick to take advantage of SMS at the low rate of 20 cents per message especially during the Olympics.
"SMS is an inexpensive and convenient way to talk without talking, especially in high noise or quiet environments such as Olympic venues," she said.
"Because SMS is short, sweet and silent it is ideal for minding your mobile manners. Why shout to be heard when you can SMS your friends across the stadium?" said Ms Thompson.
"There is also no need for mobile phones to ring during events such as tennis, archery or shooting.
With SMS you can still keep in touch without disturbing athletes or those sitting around you.
"It's as simple as setting your phone on a low ring, silent or vibrate option. Then you can send and receive messages wherever you happen to be," she added.
SMS usage among Optus customers has risen by over 350 per cent since April this year with over seven million messages being sent every week.
Useful SMS shorthand language:
| GR8 shot | Great shot | Ozi3 Oi3 | Aussie Aussie Aussie, oi oi oi |
| XLNT | Excellent | GGG 4 Aust | Gold, Gold, Gold for Australia |
| CU @ train | See you at train | Bus L8 | Bus late |
| CU L8 R | See you later | BCNU | Be seeing you |
The Optus SMS service will be rolled-out to pre-paid customers over the next week. Customers will be notified via an SMS message when the service is available on their handset.
For more information:
Louise Ingram
Cable & Wireless Optus
Phone: (02) 9342 5042