Chikka Connects to the US
March 1, 2004
Chikka Txt Messenger, the popular gateway to texting any mobile phone in the Philippines has extended its capabilities to mobile phones in the US subscribed to selected GSM carriers (see LIST of carriers).
In partnership with Nashville, Tennessee-based international SMS and international MMS enabler Iris Wireless, Chikka now brings the complete benefit of "mobile instant messaging" to Chikka users in the USA .
"This simply means for our users in the US that chatting doesn't have to end when they log-off from the Internet. They can continue sending and receiving messages on their mobile phones!" said Chikka Asia, Inc. chief executive officer Dennis Mendiola.
The mobile forwarding feature of Chikka Txt Messenger was erstwhile only enjoyed by Chikka users in the Philippines who unified their Chikka and GSM mobile phone accounts. Chikka works on any SMS (Short Message Service)-enabled, even "legacy" mobile phones, and also does not require a new SIM card. There are no additional subscription charges, although mobile replies are charged standard Value-added Service rates per SMS.
"To the entire universe of Chikka users meanwhile, the advantage is also clear: wherever they may be, they can now use Chikka to send SMS to mobile phone users in the US ," added Mendiola.
Aside from PC-to-mobile messaging, Chikka also functions as a regular instant messenger, supporting PC only contacts as well as mobile and unified ones, making it a viable alternative to most instant messaging clients. Chikka also supports group messaging, allowing simultaneous sending to multiple contacts regardless of type. This could be used, for example, to get a group of friends together, or to send an announcement to a company's agents, whether they're in front of their PC or on the go. Those concerned about getting unsolicited messages on their mobiles may BLOCK messages sent from Chikka users who are unknown to them.
"This is a major milestone for Chikka Txt Messenger," said Mendiola, "By enabling Chikka users to text US mobile phones, we have now also become a PC to mobile messaging gateway to the US -- another important wireless market, and even now home to a great number of Chikka users.
Chikka users in the USA form the largest single group of the mobile instant messaging company's subscribers outside the Philippines .
"But the US , more than the Philippines , has many of its citizens working, living or simply traveling abroad. An even larger international community has day-to-day communication needs with the world's largest economy. Americans already know instant messaging. We hope that they will discover the advantages of Chikka mobile instant messaging," said Mendiola.
Mendiola says they hope to demonstrate to the world the power and efficiency of mobile solutions. Eventually, the company will release their other SMS-powered services like Bidshot (an online auction site that allows you to bid and monitor auctions through texting) and Crushcow (a dating and personals site with services accessible through mobile). In line with an aggressive international rollout strategy, the company is also finalizing arrangements with international carriers in Southeast Asia , China and Europe to customize Chikka Txt Messenger for those carriers and to further expand Chikka's capabilities to those regions.
Chikka Txt Messenger is freeware and is free from spyware. The latest version may be downloaded from www.chikka.com.
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