MTN Nigeria Unveils Google’s Free SMS Search
MTN Nigeria, the leading telecommunications company has become the first to launch Google’s Free SMS Search for its over 20 million subscribers in Nigeria. When Google launched the service for Nigeria and Ghana in January, we were the first to cover the story in Nigeria and we thought it would be a great service.
The service was exhibited at the MTN INNOVATION DAY at the Civic Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos. I was at the event for two reasons: To meet with Les Brown, one of my mentors and to witness firsthand MTN’s innovative products.
What is Google SMS from MTN?
Google SMS is a mini version of Google search via your MTN mobile phone. It is an SMS-based search which does not require you to have any Internet connection. Google SMS allows you to find the definition of words, get news headlines, sports information and more all via SMS. The search is keyword-based, so you need to use words that can easily get you good results.
How does Google SMS work?
To get started, text ‘HELP’ to 4664 from your MTN mobile phone. You will receive a message. Then, send your keyword and topic e.g “News Obama” to 4664 and you will receive the latest news on Obama. To define a word, send the keyword and the word you want to define e.g “Define Innovation” to 4664. You will receive the definition of the word.
Note: You can only send one query per SMS, thus you can’t send multiple queries. E.g, “News Obama” only, not “News Obama”, Define Innovation”, etc. Each SMS you send costs 10 naira only.
I tried it from my phone, and I got a message like this:
Google SMS Search (sms.google.com.ng): Text to 4664 for results, eg NEWS earthquake, SCORE liverpool, DEFINE alias, HOROSCOPE Aries. Terms at m.google.com/tos
I then sent “News Obama” and I got a message showing the results of the SMS Search as follows:
“News: Obama seeks ‘new begining’ with Cuba President… - The Associated Press. Reply with NEXT for more results.”
What are the benefits?
With Google SMS, you do not need to carry around a dictionary, as you can get word definitions whenever you need them on the go. You can also get news, information on the go, especially when you can’t access the internet for the latest information.
My thoughts
I think this is a great service to get updated news and information on the go. MTN Nigeria has pioneered this innovation from Google and I’m hoping that other networks will follow suit. As per pricing, 10 naira per SMS query is very affordable, but could be cheaper.
After all, the service is free from Google, so MTN Nigeria should give free or reduce the rate to say 5 naira per SMS search. My hope is that when other networks such as Globacom, Zain and Etisalat launch Google’s free SMS search, the service will be absolutely free.
its cost effective
Hearing of this for the first time
N10 to find out “News: Obama seeks ‘new begining’ with Cuba President…” ?? not cost effective at all. very unimpressive. If it is like the UK where you have mobile contracts with unlimited SMS then maybe. What happened to GPRS? In the US, this service is free. MTN is looking for a way to milk people dry.
I quite agree that MTN will stop at nothing in milking Nigerians dry. why cant it be an added benefit to subscribers which will at the long run further increase their subcriber-base
if dey wana do sth 4 d ppo s benefits,bliv u me,it shud b at no cost.common!lets face facts,it sucks
its nice bt tink?wudnt it b beta if it b free.i mean we al luv free stuff
Pls let this be a free value added service! Because i can’t continue sending/requesting 4 something at that rate N10/sms. It is costly, i can’t afford it. Thanks.
mtn should make this FREE for Gods sake! Why must it always charge nigerians for everything.whats the big deal about mtn network anyway?
Mtn has neva given her customer free stuff.
Actually,d launching of googlesms is a good idea but the 10 box is not a good idea.
MTN WE ARE IN LOVE WITH YOUR PREVARY BUT PLS REDUCE THE PRICE YOU ARE PEOPLE NETWORK
its gud but should be offered free.
N10 sms is too cost, because i belive they could sart free call or sms bye now, not n10 sms egain. They suld think about it. Thank’s
Its a good tin but only one request per sms is costly and discouraging, how many times will u then send in a day maybe just 4 a definition more over most pple now have medical and english dictionary in their phns, and read paper, its beta 2 send multiple request per sms.
its ok. only it should be broad based.
google sms is very good and, also its benefits are unique. One can send about 50 sms’ but depending on the cost, if u times N10. with the above number is much. Mtn is part of us so for them to increase the use of the sms i think it’s best at N2.00
MTN, u guys never seize 2 amaze and annoy innocent Nigerians. Whats d heck wit N10 when we have unlimited access to net n dailies 4 our news and then our dictionaries at every beck n call. U guys should give us a break or free service sometimes. We have tried 4 u ppl or do u want us all to take a very long walk-away from ur network?
mtn shuld either reduce the price or allow multiple entries. when wuld they even give us free stuff? we need answer from mtn director. thanks.
We appreciate mtn but in return mtn shukd also appreciate our effort by offering little free services for its subcribers. pls try, it is neccessary.
the development is good.but d price as think shuld not b more than 2.00 or even free,so dat many pple can benefict from it.dat shuld b d primary objective of d mtn.
common, its just news u can get on the streets or words that a neighbour can help u define. it should be free, since google is offering the service for ree,
well I think MTN are too greedy because this stuff is provided free by google whom we are not paying a penny to. So why the charge from “MTN”
Pupose preceed production, google sms is extremly perfect. But mtn should re-consider the cost, nevertheless considering beem together with mtn network, you people are capable of making this a “FREE” service.
Pupose preceed production,google sms linking with mtn is extremly perfect, but mtn should please re-consider the cost. Nevertheless, considering the fact of being together with mtn network i think it will not be a big deal (you people are capable) of making this a “FREE” service.
As 4 me! 9ja ppl has don alot 4 mtn lykwys mtn bt u guys re xtremely selfish. Sumtin ofa free 4 u % u charge 10 per sms. Remmba, d mejority of d ppl dat uses such services re students % unemployed group. Pls, do dis tin if u apreciate dis long queue behind u. Everywhere u go we folow.
student make use of mtn most .i think u should make development free in benefit of d student and other coz is giuen 2 u free pls u can do better even more better
Well my own opinion goes like this,to me i prefer your services,but i don’t think i need the updated service,because i am already enabled to google for free,i check what ever with google.So my opinion is 4 u to make the service a free one 4 less enabled people moreover students so as 4 the good name to keep existing.Thanks.
mtn= mobile thief (in) nigeria
I don’t knw wen MTN will change from exploiting Nigerians.Notin goes 4 free.Wat bout a lil bonus 4 ur customers.U guys must not charge 4 evri, for God’s SAKE!!
mtn is only though demand n not supply.
mtn only demand from customers but does not give things free, my friends r using zain b4, but they all started using mtn, bcos of opera free browsing.FFUUCCKK MTN, MTN STINGS.
mtn should always remember how much life u bless thats how you measure success.
i thank mtn 4 these uncommon innovations,this stands as a means of gettin what u want frm where u are,mtn keep it up
no network be like u ,in terms of xra cul,frd n familx etc,we ar waitin 4 more….
mtn should at least offer the service at a cheaper price lets say #2 because google is sending the information to them free of charge.
mtn
you guyz are good but you got to be more customer friendly infact your call centres hardly goes.
Cant 4 1s give bonus.efcc shd luk in2 mtn office & sweep fraud out.infact everytin abot mtn is zero_i mean capital zero.
mtn, they b nothing goes 4free. Why? Bt am sure if zain nd glo lunch dia own it will b absolutely free. I trust them