Messaging International, a provider of messaging services, has, through its subsidiary, TeleMessage, signed an agreement with Uralsviazinform to launch its Text-to Landline service. Uralsviazinform is said to be the largest provider of telecommunications services in the Urals region, and is considered as one of the four leading mobile operators in Russia. The agreement to launch Text-to-Landline will allow Uralsviazinform subscribers to send a text message from a wireless phone to any landline phone in the Ural region.
The Text-to-Landline software enables Uralsviazinform wireless customers to create and send a text message to any landline phone in Russia, and converts it to a voice message for the recipient. The recipient can then respond by voice to the wireless customer, who will receive the reply message in the form of a text. The wireless customer will also receive a status text message confirming if the message was delivered directly to a person or to a voicemail system.
"Using SMS to Landline, our customers will be able to contact anyone, anywhere using the simple and popular SMS capabilities on their handsets," said Sergey Bershev, Deputy General Director – Director for Business Development of Uralsviazinform. "Convergence is critical to us as a combined fixed line and mobile operator and providing services that combine these two spheres of telecommunications makes a lot of sense to us and our customers."
Guy Levit, CEO of Messaging International, said, "Uralsviazinform is a great example of how a company can use Text-to-Landline to increase customer loyalty by providing an innovative product. We are extremely pleased that Uralsviazinform has chosen to launch this service as millions of its fixed and mobile customers will benefit from our proprietary technology. Importantly, through this agreement, TeleMessage will gain exposure and recognition in the rapidly expanding Russian telecommunications market."