Airtel has combined forces with bdnews24.com to get millions of its subscribers up-to-the-minute SMS news alerts on major national and international events.
The Value Added Service Department’s chief Ziaul Haq Shikder confirmed the partnership on Wednesday before earmarking next week for a full-fledged service.
The mobile carrier has been test-running text alerts since Jan 20, delivering all the important news stories making headlines with bdnews24.com directly to mobile devices.
In one of many firsts, bdnews24.com introduced Bangladesh to SMS news services on Oct 5, 2007.
An Airtel spokesperson said: “bdnews24.com is Bangladesh’s first internet newspaper. We have opened this famous brand to our customers so that they can get news of their choice.
“We hope our subscribers will be encouraged to get news updates from a leading media like bdnews24.com.”
The mobile-phone operator’s spokesperson said what drove them into this partnership was not the urge to make money but to provide the clients with accurate news.
Phones on Airtel network can sign up by texting B to 2324 to receive breaking news alerts via SMS when major local and international news breaks.
For breakfast news (M), business news (BN), midday update (MD), and evening news (EN) services, users need to separately text M, BN, MD, EN to 2324.
Subscribers while on the go can also have updates on the top two leaders delivered directly to their phones.
Text SH to 2324 to sign up for alerts on Prime Minister and Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina and KZ for updates on BNP Chairperson and former Opposition Leader Khaleda Zia.
The SMS for subscription costs nothing.
“We are delighted to have launched an SMS news alert service with Airtel,” says Tanim Ahmed, Head of Sales and Marketing at bdnews24.com.
“I believe this new partnership has exciting prospects,” he adds. “Now we’ll be able to reach even more people through our very successful and pioneering SMS news alerts.”
Each SMS alert on Airtel will cost Tk 2.30.
Source: Bd news24