SMS messages from fixed line to fixed line
In August 2002, Belgacom presented its Messenger service for sending mobile-to-fixed line SMS messages. Up to then, it had only been possible to send this type of short text message between GSMs.
From February 2003, the service will be extended further: users will be able to send SMS messages from one fixed-line telephone to another or to a GSM. A compatible telephone is needed. However, it’s possible to receive SMS messages even if the user does not have such a telephone, thanks to the text-to-speech technology.
The SMS service is all the rage. It is so easy to use and the costs are so low that more and more people are using this form of communication every day.
A brief glimpse of how this service has developed :
June 1998: Proximus launched the conventional mobile-to-mobile SMS service. In June 2000, it also became possible to send SMS messages to numbers served by other operators.
This service rapidly became an enormous success thanks to its low cost and ease of use. At the end of 2002, some 150 million messages a month were being sent via Proximus (compared with 90 million per month at the end of 2000). All three mobile telephone operators in Belgium offer this service.
August 2002: GSM-to-fixed line SMS messages
This new service became possible thanks to the text-to-speech technology acquired by Belgacom. At the end of 2002, there were one million such SMS messages.
February 2003: Fixed-line-to-fixed-line SMS messages
Belgacom is now launching a fixed-line-to-fixed-line SMS message service, further extending the fixed-line features and targeting those without a GSM who are not yet familiar with SMS messages.
SMS messages can be sent from a fixed line to another fixed line or to a GSM. Messages can now be received in text form as well as by voice.
Compatible telephone
A compatible telephone is needed to send messages. Various models are on sale at Belgacom sales outlets which can be used to enter and send messages to other fixed-line telephones.
SMS messages to fixed-line and mobile telephones
An SMS message can be sent using this telephone to another Belgacom fixed line, to a fixed-line provided by another operator or to a number provided by a mobile telephone operator (provided that the operator has concluded an agreement with Belgacom). Currently, SMS messages can be sent to customers of Proximus (even when the customer is out of the country), Codenet and Versatel (fixed-line operators).
To receive SMS messages, customers need a telephone that is compatible, to register for this service by calling 0800-17173 toll-free and, for technical reasons, to subscribe to the Caller Display service (EUR 2.50 per month). The Caller Display service is currently used by 925,000 customers.
Even if the customer does not comply with these criteria, he can still receive and hear any messages thanks to text-to-speech technology. This is provided automatically and free of charge on fixed lines.
The SMS service overrides Caller Display blocking and unlisted numbers: the caller's telephone number is always sent with every SMS message.
Cost
This service is activated free of charge. The person sending the SMS message pays the current rate for SMS messages. This is 15 cents (the standard rate for sending SMS messages within Belgium), whether to a fixed line or a GSM. There is no charge for this service for the person receiving the message.
