IVR

MTN has launched Voice SMS service in Uganda based on the Voice SMS technology from Kirusa (News - Alert). MTN Voice SMS offering in Uganda also consists of additional features like Scheduling and Dynamic Group Voice SMS.

 

Voice SMS allows subscribers to send messages by voice. Eliminating the need to type, Voice SMS enables subscribers to communicate faster along with an added personal touch by conveying emotions as well. The Voice SMS service is popular across the globe since it overcomes the limitations of text messages.

 

According to Isaac Nsereko, Chief Marketing Officer of MTN (News - Alert) Uganda, they are excited by the successful launch of Voice SMS for their customers. It is the technical and marketing superiority as well as the focused approach towards implementation that led to the selection of Kirusa to provide the Voice SMS service. Nsereko also added that the attitude and attention to the details by the project management team were commendable.

 

MTN subscribers in Uganda have to dial '*' followed by the number of the person they wish to send the message to in order to send the Voice SMS. The subscriber can then speak a short message for up to 30 seconds in any language. The recipient on MTN network will get a notification message from the sender. The recipient has to click on a DirectListen number for direct access and to reply to the Voice SMS left for him. The recipient can dial *0* to hear new voice messages. Previously listened voice messages can be retrieved by dialing *1*. MTN subscribers will thus be able to reply to, forward, save or delete Voice SMS messages. In order to send a Voice SMS, MTN subscribers need to pay just USD 0.04. MTN is also planning to offer enhanced Voice SMS services for its enterprise customers in the near future.

 

While commenting on the launch, Dr. Inderpal Singh Mumick (News - Alert), CEO and Founder of Kirusa congratulated MTN Uganda to be the first MTN operator to have launched Voice SMS in East Africa. The leading vendor of Voice SMS in the world, Kirusa also develops mobile value added services. The Voice SMS solution from Kirusa will work on all handsets and on all networks with features like DirectListen for direct access and reply to messages, Speed Codes for quickly sending messages, group messaging, mobile number portability, background music, interconnection and international Voice SMS.