Instant messaging on the move
HT Technology Bureau , June 8, 2003

Have you tried chatting on mobile phones? It is possible and lots of new users are logging on to this new trend of personalised and instant chat while on the move.

This cool feature is called 'wireless instant messaging' (WIM) and enables a mobile user to exchange instant messages in real time with friends, create a friends list and identify their friends' 'presence' on the network.

Mobile operators like Idea, AirTel (nation-wide), RPG Cellular, Spice and Escotel provide this service and are reporting significant usage, according to Sanjay K. Goyal, promoter and CEO of ACL Wireless, a company with venture capital from Inter Asia Venture Management Hong Kong.

The service is based on ACL's WIM technology and allows users ubiquitous access to the service through SMS, PCs and web-enabled wireless devices for contacts on mobile networks, popular desktop instant messengers and e-mail networks.

"The service empowers a user to message anytime, from anywhere, and with almost anyone in the world," says Goyal.

Globally, WIM is expected to grow significantly. According to a report by Baskerville, a UK telecom consultancy it will generate $9.2 billion by 2006 in revenue. IDC claims that by 2004, 1.3 billion people will have access to wireless devices that can access data.

Mobile chat

• Type GO, send to a number
• Type N followed by your name and send
• Type U followed by your age,sex, location (U sudhir 22 M Noida) and send