Here’s yet another platform for teenagers to expand their online chat groups and stay connected 24/7. After SMS and MMS, you can now use your mobile phone for MIM — mobile instant messaging. In other words, now one needn’t be in front of a computer to get onto Yahoo chat or Messenger or Google Talk. A mobile handset is all one needs.
Though MIM will by and large provide the same service that wireline services of internet messengers (IM) currently provide, MIM will go a step ahead in that it will offer a link to IM users that would permit MIM users to chat with friends who are on laptops or PCs.
To access instant messaging, a customer needs to have a GPRS (web enabled handset) and the normal GPRS charges will be applicable depending on the usage. The service is not specific to English language users but would also be available to common users in their mother tongue.
Operators like BSNL, MTNL, Bharti Airtel, Hutch-Essar, Idea, Aircel, Reliance Telecom, Spice and BPL are expected to commercially launch this service in the next 3-4 weeks.
The MIM system has been designed and engineered by Jataayu software—an Indian software solution provider in partnership with Fastmobile, provider of integrated communications platforms and applications to the mobile industry.
The tariffs will be based on usage of bytes and tariffs will be on the lines of the GPRS services. Unlike SMS which is a store and forward method, users have to be online to chat on MIM.
Instant Me ssaging uses the internet in similar manner as chatting and does many other things. It combines the power of internet chat on the PC and brings it on to the small screen. Considering that India has a very low PC penetration, this will develop very fast on the mobile.
