Updated: Airtel Launches Mobile Instant Messenger

Updated below

(Originally posted on 07 Jun 2007)
Airtel has launched a mobile messenger, which users can use to send and receive messages. The messenger is a GPRS based application which can be downloaded by SMSing IM to 57070. The messenger is free till the 31st of August, though it isn’t clear whether there will be a subscription based fee, in addition to GPRS charges. The application allows users to set status messages, use emoticons and create groups.
Of course, if there isn’t any integration with existing Internet based IMs, the service could be a damp squib: already, there are messengers like Fring, Nimbuzz, GoTalkMobile and others, that allow chat via GPRS. Also, it was reported earlier that GSM operators are launching a mobile IM. Has that plan been shelved? Details in the press release we received are sketchy, and we’ve asked Airtel for some clarifications and more details. Some screencaps of the messenger here and here.

Update:
Responding to emailed questions from ContentSutra, Harish Gandhi, VP for VAS & New Product Development, Bharti Airtel says that at present there are no data charges for the Mobile Messenger service, and pricing for after the introductory period will be announced shortly. At present, there are no plans for voice chats, and the service is text only. It will work only with Airtel Live, which is free of cost.

Also, a major downer: there isn’t interoperability with web messengers. However, Gandhi says that feature will be incorporated, as will multilingual instant messaging. Apparently, the Airtel Mobile Instant Messenger (MIM) is already interoperable with other GSM operators: Airtel users can chat with other mobile subscribers of other GSM operators by adding him/her to the chat list. I think it’s still not clear how that will work, unless both users have the Airtel MIM. About whether it will cannibalize on SMS revenues, Gandhi is non committal, saying that Airtel is trying to enhance user experience and increase the stickiness of their brand.

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