Google Inc. (Nasdaq: GOOG) yesterday extended its added free SMS in Israel to Hebrew-language Gmail. Israeli English-language Gmail subscribers can already send and receive SMS via Google's Labs service.
The service makes it possible for Gmail subscribers to send and receive SMS to Partner Communications Ltd. (Nasdaq: PTNR; TASE: PTNR) and Pelephone Communications Ltd. subscribers, but not to Cellcom Israel Ltd. (NYSE:CEL; TASE:CEL) subscribers.
Users receive an initial quota of 50 messages. The quota increases by five messages for each SMS received. When the quota hits zero, it will return after 24 hours with a balance of one.
In addition, there will be no limits on sending SMS messages to telephones in North America.
Google is not the first company to offer online SMS. ICQ launched a similar program of free SMS for Partner and Pelephone subscribers several years ago.
Google Israel said, "We hope to expand the service to other operators in the future. We have nothing more to add at this time."
Cellcom said in response, "Cellcom allows its subscribers to send free SMS, but adheres to its strategy of sending messages from the company's website."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on March 11, 2010
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