Free SMSes from Gmail in South Africa

Someone just let me know they went to this page in the "Learn more" link: http://www.google.com/intl/en-GB_za/mail/help/sms.html

Note: Sending and receiving a message from Gmail to any phone is free. When replying with an SMS from phone to Gmail, you will be charged a regular SMS rate by your mobile provider. Gmail SMS is currently available in South Africa for 8ta and MTN subscribers.
Click to expand...

This is the global supported networks page: http://support.google.com/chat//bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=164876&rd=1
 
I haven't really used Google Chat yet, how do I add my number to chat to myself? No I'm not forever alone :D Just want to see how it works
 
Probably won't use that feature much anyway, since I avoid SMS communication like the plague.
(seriously, why do people insist on using this as it is one of the most expensive forms of communication out there!):mad:

But I am loving Google's SMS reminders feature that comes free with Google Calendar.
I can SMS myself with all my calendar events for free!
 
Are you saying that 50 SMSes are not enough, before you even receive 1 reply and get 5 SMS credits?

Are you a spammer or a stalker? :)
 
Garyvdh said:
(seriously, why do people insist on using this as it is one of the most expensive forms of communication out there!):mad:
Click to expand...

Because sms is more "official" and non-ignorable than i.e. bbm's or whatsapp's. The latter is seen as more "casual" communications.
 
ajax said:
Because sms is more "official" and non-ignorable than i.e. bbm's or whatsapp's. The latter is seen as more "casual" communications.
Click to expand...

I don't seem to have any problem ignoring them! :D

If you want to ask me a question that requires an answer of more than 160 characters... then you better call me, cos you will not be getting a reply! ;)
 
I just sent an sms to my MTN number via Gtalk and it works perfectly. Took about 5 seconds to arrive.

I replied to the SMS from my phone and it arrived in my Gtalk chat box.

Nifty.

EDIT: My credits went down from 50 to 49, but now it's back up to 50 again. \o/

EDIT2: I sent one to a mate's cell C #, gtalk says it didn't go through, but my mate still got it.

SMS credits, still 50. ^_^
 
Last edited:
grav80 said:
I haven't really used Google Chat yet, how do I add my number to chat to myself? No I'm not forever alone :D Just want to see how it works
Click to expand...

at the very top of you chat contacts there is a search box (directly below where it says 'Chat and SMS') start typing your number in that search box and as you are tying at the extreme right a link will appear which says Send SMS and when you are done click it and u will be given an opportunity to svave your number among your regular chat contacts so that you can sms it easily next time
 
Voicy said:
I just sent an sms to my MTN number via Gtalk and it works perfectly. Took about 5 seconds to arrive.

I replied to the SMS from my phone and it arrived in my Gtalk chat box.

Nifty.

EDIT: My credits went down from 50 to 49, but now it's back up to 50 again. \o/

EDIT2: I sent one to a mate's cell C #, gtalk says it didn't go through, but my mate still got it.

SMS credits, still 50. ^_^
Click to expand...

Did you use gtalk desktop app. Does it work with gtalk android app?
 
TFTC said:
at the very top of you chat contacts there is a search box (directly below where it says 'Chat and SMS') start typing your number in that search box and as you are tying at the extreme right a link will appear which says Send SMS and when you are done click it and u will be given an opportunity to svave your number among your regular chat contacts so that you can sms it easily next time
Click to expand...
Thanks!
 
Uganda, Ghana, and Congo are supported, but not ZA (not officially)? So whats wrong with us? Sux quite a bit that companies like Apple & Google think we are only good enough to buy their stuff, but full supported services and app store content are not for people like us :-(
at least one positive thing is that these kinds of services are developed... one day when we are good enough, it may prove usefull :-)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X