Effective 1st December 1999, Vodago prepaid subscribers will be able to send Vodacom SMS messages, or short text messages, to other cellular phones users with the latest SMS (Short Message Service) technology at the low cost of 65 cents (including VAT) per message.
Andrew Mthembu, managing director of Vodacom (Pty) Ltd explains that until now prepaid users in South Africa could only receive SMS messages.
"The new service will be a real cost saver. At just 65c per SMS send, Vodago users will be able to send text messages of up to 160 characters to any other GSM cellphone user in South Africa. For the same charge they can also send an SMS from South Africa to anywhere in the world."
"Other features of the innovative service are that users can store up to 15 messages on their cellphone and that messages can be received even if the cellphone is engaged or switched off."
"In addition, two extra services will also be available to Vodago prepaid subscribers. Call Forwarding enables Vodago users to divert calls to any number whereas at present they can only divert calls to voicemail. Multi Party Calling allows Vodago prepaid subscribers to originate up to two simultaneous call at any one time."
Users will activate their Vodacom SMS service through calling Vodacom. All new Vodago SIM cards will have the SMS function activated automatically. Existing subscribers will be activated on their next recharge.
Alternatively, Vodago users with a positive balance on their accounts can activate SMS by calling Vodago Customer Care (114). Once activated, they need to programme the message centre number by dialling either +27 82 9119 or +27 82 9129, which gives them access to the network.
Typically, to send an SMS users would do the following: select "messages", choose the "write" option and write the message. On completion, choose the "send" option. The user will be asked to enter the cellphone number of the recipient.
Users should note, however, that different cellphones have different ways of sending SMS and users should check their relevant cellphone manual.
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