Optus today launched a new short message service called SMS Broadcast especially designed to help business take advantage of SMS as a means to communicate.

Finola Thompson, Director Mobile Internet & Data, Optus said business users have been quick to take advantage of SMS to contact their staff and customers.

"Business usage of SMS is booming because it is an easy and quick way to communicate with people on the move."

"Our research with customers shows that convenience is an important factor for business who find it easy to send an SMS from a computer to a range of people in their address book," she said.

Ms Thompson believes there are many ways business can take advantage of this new service helping them to work smarter and more productively.

"The beauty of SMS Broadcast is that it allows a business to send short messages to a group of people at once."

"This saves time and money because the business doesn?t have to ring each intended recipient individually - they can do it all at a touch of a button - and at reasonable rates," she said.

"For example, courier companies can tell their drivers on the road where to pick-up the next package. Tradespeople such as glass repairers, plumbers and electricians can be told the location of the next job."

"Mobile sales forces can be sent reminder notices such as 'weekly reports due this week' or that the meeting has been changed to a different time and location," Ms Thompson said.

"In addition, dentists can use SMS Broadcast to communicate with their patients reminding them of their next appointment, while airlines can SMS customers to notify them if a flight will be delayed," she said.

Optus mobile customers can access SMS Broadcast information on 1800 555 937.

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