Consumer Ecosystems

Free online SMS service localises for emerging markets

 

 

Localised versions of a popular free PC-to-cell SMS chat application are launching in India, Mexico, Brazil and the Philippines...

 Localised versions of a popular free PC-to-cell SMS chat application are launching in India, Mexico, Brazil and the Philippines. The service, known as Cherple and provided by Globatel Media, launched in 2009 and was originally available only in English.

“We are tapping more directly into these markets in order to achieve greater penetration for Cherple,” said Robert Sanchez, CEO and president. “A localised site makes it easier for computer users to text chat with friends and family in the United States.”

About 41 percent of Cherple international users come from Asia, including the Philippines, India, Taiwan, Korea, Thailand and Vietnam, added Sanchez. Mexico and Brazil account for an additional 15 percent of all users.

“Given that SMS texting is such a big part of India’s everyday communication, Cherple levels the field for its millions of mobile users who don’t have a smart phone or data plan by bringing the ability for its users to stay connected anytime and anywhere with friends and family overseas,” Sanchez said.

Localised Cherple sites are currently in India, the Philippines, Mexico and Brazil. Since the launch of the Hindi site in India in July of this year, SMS traffic has more than doubled, with traffic expected to soon top one million SMS messages per month.

Cherple is used in more than 160 countries. The no-fee and no-subscription service allows people to send SMS text messages from any Internet-connected PC to any U.S. mobile cellular device and receive messages back. While standard text-messaging rates apply to the U.S. cell phone receiving and replying to any message, there is no cost to the online user who initiates and maintains the conversation.



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