Malaysia's Catcha.com launches message service to mobiles

Kuala Lumpur, 3 Mar 2000 (Asia Pulse) - Catcha.com.my, the localised search engine portal, today launched the country's first free Short Message Service (SMS) via the Internet.

In a statement, it said the service allows SMS messages to be sent free of charge to Celcom, Maxis, DiGi and Adam subscribers and is available to all registered catcha.com.my users. The service would also be extended to TMTouch and Mobikom subscribers very soon, it added.

Catcha.com said with the service, Internet users from anywhere in the world can send short text messages to mobile phone users subscribing to these telecommunication service providers. The service also allows Maxis, DiGi, Adam and Celcom subscribers with autoroam services activated to receive SMS messages anywhere in the world, it said, adding that messages could also be saved for transmission later when a user's mobile phone is switched off.

The technology for the free SMS system is completely homegrown and developed by Catcha.com. Catcha.com chief executive officer, Patrick Grove, said a significant amount of funds and resources had been invested in developing the technology. He said the company was setting a benchmark of Internet services and would continue to introduce other innovative services.

"Sponsorship of Catcha SMS will also be available to advertisers whereby they can append their advertisement text at the beginning and end of every free SMS message sent," he said. Catcha.com has its headquarters in Singapore and has permanent offices in Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines and Australia.