Information about Haj draw, flights now through SMS

Efforts are on to provide information about selection of Haj applicants and date and time of flights on mobile through SMS. This will help those who have submitted Haj forms but being in remote and rural areas face problems in getting information about draw of lots.

According to Rashtriya Sahara Urdu daily, state Haj Committee officials had talks with government-owned telecommunication giant BSNL officials over the issue. It is likely that the facility will be provided from this year itself.

State Haj committees select Haj applicants through draw of lots and the list of selected ones is posted on the Website of the Haj Committee of India. But people in rural areas are away from benefiting from the facility of the Internet. They also have to face problems in getting information about scheduled flights. Maybe, the days of these problems are numbered.

This is one reason, I always love SMS. SMS will really bridge the gap between digital divide.
I should propose the solution to Karnataka Haj Committee.

Raje uses SMS to appeal for calm

As the Gujjars spread out across Rajasthan’s borders disrupting life in the state and in areas surrounding the national capital, Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje sent SMS messages for calm and asking the community to approach the central government.

“Hamare shantipriya rajya mein ashanti hona dukhad hai. Mera anurodh hai ki aap sanyam ka parichay dein aur shanty bhalai mein sahyog karein (It is sad to see unrest in our peaceful state. Please restrain yourself and help us maintain peace),” said the chief minister’s SMS message sent to over 10 million mobile owners in Rajasthan.

Wowww.. this is really good. A technology to create peace. SMS is the best.

SMS Enterprise Solutions from MyDuniya

MyDuniya Enterprise Solutions:


MyDuniya enterprise SMS services provide enterprises with quality service for sending and receiving SMS messages. Enterprises can communicate effectively using MyDuniya services. Our services pave the path for achieving improved customer satisfaction, customer relation and also for improving the customer base. Additionally, it could be used for a host of other initiatives as per your need.

The Services Include:

• Notifications to customers
• Personalized message to customers
• Capturing the feedback from the customers
• Customers can query your data
• Capturing the customers
• Alerts to customers
• Wishes and Greetings to Customers
• Localized search information your data
• Conduct Poll
• Conduct Survey
• Capture suggestion Ideas
• Interactive Group Messaging (True Groups)
• BulkSMS

We provide API's to interact with existing application. The API's include both PULL and PUSH.

We have a very feature rich internet platform to configure and get going. You can configure and start your service within 30 minutes.

The Key Features of platform Includes:

• Web based dashboard to access from anywhere
• Administrative Control
• Multiuser Access
• Detailed Billing
• Customized sender Indetification

Note: We can maintain SHORTCODE'S at low cost. We have our sms gateway and an easily configurable keyword management engine.



Contact Information:

Kesava Reddy.M

kesava at myduniya dot c o m

+91-97400-8HELP

www.myduniya.co.in

Open Source Mobile Messaging

MoodleMobile allows messages to be sent to any existing contact groups, enabling a large number of people to be contacted simultaneously.

Users simply select a message recipient from their existing contact list, enter the message, and click 'send'. Messages can be sent to as many or as few people as required, as well as allowing users to select individual recipients from a list.

"Messaging has grown to be an increasingly effective communication tool amongst schools, colleges and universities," said Chris Jones, PageOne chief executive.

"We are delighted by the response we have received so far from members of the education community and look forward to further developments planned for MoodleMobile over the coming months."

Internet-to-SMS Platform for King's Academy

ESKADENIA Software has reportedly designed and developed an Internet-to-SMS system for King’s Academy of Jordan. By using this system, the academy is able to communicate through different forms of short messaging services with its stakeholders. It also allows them to have full control over the IT and content administration of the platform.

Good finally some one is thinking alike. At MyDuniya we have the same system. This is for consumers. A consumer keep is resume in the internet. Using SMS he can forward the resume to any one.

Take a taxi and pay via SMS

Abu Dhabi residents will soon be able to pay their taxi fare by sending an SMS from their mobile phones thanks to a new e-payment system introduced by a prominent taxi company.

The system called "Q-cash" will be operational by the end of August or September this year. "Passengers will no longer need to carry loose change with them to pay taxi fares,".

The system will avoid complaints that taxi drivers do not return loose change to passengers, it added. Eventually, all taxis in the emirate may have the SMS payment system, TransAD, the Centre for Regulation of Transport by Hire Cars in Abu Dhabi said on Tuesday.

We are seriously considering introducing the system for all taxis, said Khalid Saleh Al Rashedi, General Manager of TransAD at a press conference.

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To pay a taxi fare by SMS passengers will be able to open a "Q-cash account" by purchasing a "Q-cash card" from a taxi or from one of our merchants (petrol stations or supermarkets), Hadi Tahboub, Chief Executive officer of Al Qudra Holding Transport Sector which runs Q-link taxis.

"After a taxi ride, you can follow the instructions on the card to pay the fare by SMS. You can type the taxi number and fare, and send an SMS to a given number. A confirmation message will be sent to the customer's mobile phone and to the electronic device in the taxi which will print the receipt," said the CEO.

"The confirmation message will mention the balance amount in your 'Q-cash account," he added.

The service is free, he added. Bank account holders will have the option to purchase or recharge the 'Q-cash card' through their bank accounts, said Irene Trifyllis, Business Development Manager of the company.

The company has made an arrangement with a telecom provider and a prominent bank to operate the system, said Dimitrios Ladas, SMS Project Manager.

Later customers may be able to use the 'Q-cash card' to purchase more product, he said.

"It may become a popular E-payment card," he added.

Quick response: Cabs to be tracked

Technical work has been completed to introduce a tracking and despatch system for new taxis in Abu Dhabi, TransAD, the Centre for Regulation of Transport by Hire Cars in Abu Dhabi announced on Tuesday.

"The infrastructure is ready and as soon as we get connectivity from Etisalat, the system will be operational", said Khalid Saleh Al Rashedi, General Manager of TransAD at a press conference on Tuesday.

As Gulf News reported in November last year the system will help people avoid waiting for taxis. They can just call up the call centre which can track taxis available nearby and dispatch them to passengers.

It will enable passengers to use credit cards to pay the taxi fare later, said Al Rashedi. As well as credit cards, people can use a smart card for public transport services, he said.

Although 9,000 taxis carry a million passengers a day ,the call centre receives just 250 calls a day, of which 25 are complaints. As well as 28 inspectors from TransAD, seven taxi companies have also appointed inspectors to ensure a better service.

We require this kind of service in Bangalore also. Does anyone have contacts at Meru Taxi Service? It is easy develop.

Few Mobile Subscription Numbers

Although 70% of mobile subscribers live in developing countries where the mean penetration rate of mobile telephony rose from 13.8% in 2003 to 41.6% in 2007.

According to the White Paper of the Institute of Audiovisual & Telecoms in Europe, entitled " Mobile 2008: Market and Trends" published for the Mobile World Congress 2008, Barcelona: Half of the world population owns a mobile phone.

The report says there were 3.18 billion mobile subscribers worldwide at the end of 2007. In 2006 and 2007, developing countries accounted for 90% of the new subscriptions worldwide. 70% of mobile subscribers live in developing countries and that the mean penetration rate of mobile telephony rose from 13.8% in 2003 to 41.6% in 2007, in developing countries.

So if you are developing an something using SMS, 3.18 billion customers are ready. Wowww.. Think Big....

AIDS awareness using SMS

Despite prevention campaigns, too many young people still die of AIDS every year, putting the economy and the social stability of certain Southern African countries at risk.

Now a non-profit organiastion located in Amsterdam, Netherlands has embarked on a project to link technology and HIV and AIDS to improve HIV/AIDS education, especially in sub-Saharan countries.

"When we realized that knowledge about HIV/AIDS was poor among young Africans, while cell phones are increasingly becoming popular, we at Text to Change (TTC) decided to use text messages to improve awareness about HIV/AIDS, and motivate people to get tested and seek treatment. Even people with the most basic mobile phones will be able to participate in the program. Participation in the quiz is at a discounted SMS rate" says Bas Hoefman, Founder and Marketing Manager of TTC.

According to Text to Change managers, the organization fervently aims at creating a dialogue in order to increase awareness on the disease and achieve comprehensive knowledge levels among young people, reduce HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination and motivate people for HIV testing and treatment. To this end, the NGO designed a pilot project for implementation early this year in Uganda.

”Their idea is simple, innovative, easy to apply, and cost-effective”, they say. The program consists in sending cell phone text messages in a rewarding quiz format to improve the knowledge that people have on HIV/AIDS, and encourage them to go for Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT), and seek treatment if necessary.

The program is built as an interactive educational game and each week over a period of 6 weeks, mobile phone users receive 3 multiple choice questions from the local mobile operator focusing on HIV prevention (general knowledge, condom use, STIs, behavioral change, mother to child transmission), Stigma and discrimination and Practical information on proximity VCT and treatment centers .

The users answer these questions by SMS, in full anonymity.

Respondents with correct answers receive a message notifying them of their participation in a weekly contest that rewards selected winners with prizes such as free mobile airtime or Nokia handsets.

Those with incorrect answers get a rectifying SMS with an explanation of the specific subject, sent from TTC database.

The dialogue established between the phone user and TTC will build trust in this educational system, while upgrading the knowledge of the respondent on HIV/AIDS to the extent that he/she might one day become the "counselor" of someone else in need of accurate information on the subject.

During the six week quiz, every participant can get a free HIV test to know his/her status and get the appropriate treatment on time, when necessary.

Hoefman says cell phones have not been just about technology. “They have brought about a cultural change in the countries.

The seriousness and reliability of the quiz answers, relayed in a ludic manner will probably have a greater impact on youth, already addicted to video games and SMS contests.

Most TV programs now come with an SMS contest, turning participants into active protagonists of the show. Their voice is part of the solution and they are aware of it. Their empowerment has been immediate and non reversible. Fun and incentive-based education… could it be the missing ingredient in previous sexual education and behavioral change campaigns?” he poses.

For the time being, TTC is focusing on the primary results of its pilot program rolled out in Mbarara District, South Western Uganda. They launched it on February 14, 2008, with their partners, the AIDS Information Centre-Uganda (AIC), a local NGO of great renown specialized in VCT, reproductive health, discordant couple and youth services, which covers over 49 districts of Uganda and 104 Government Health facilities

The innovation has now attracted the interest of the Celtel Uganda, one of the leading mobile phone operators in Africa currently operating in 15 countries and plans are afoot to move it to the country’s capital city of Kampala.

This one of the best thing happened using SMS.

Is there anything like this we have in India? Do we require anything like this? Please let me know! MyDuniya got a SMS platform, where they can configure something like this in a Day. If you know any NGO looking for the these kind of services please let me know.

Disclosure: I work for MyDuniya Networks. We are in Mobile VAS using SMS. We have services for enterprises and individuals.

Donations via SMS for China Earthquake Victims

US-based services provider Vesta's Chinese subsidiary China Dot Man (CDM) is enabling international relief organizations to accept donations via SMS for the country's earthquake victims.

CDM has initiated partnerships with the Red Cross, China Unicom, China Mobile and the China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation to conduct the donations received via wireless handsets and which are made using designated “short codes”.

Until now, CDM has processed over 64 million donations totalling EUR 15.77million from citizens across the country.

It is really very good. How about something like this for cyclone NARGIS victims in Maynmar. If you came across anything like this for Maynmar please let me know.

Disclosure: I work for MyDuniya Networks. We are in Mobile VAS using SMS. We have services for enterprises and individuals.

SMS your opinions

All of us have our opinions about each everything in the world. Many time we keep our opinions to our self. How about letting it out these opinions/views suggestions using SMS to the whole world?


Show case these opinions in the website. People own the website like wikipedia the can categories the opinion. These kind of services already available in few countries.

Check this



Disclosure: I work for MyDuniya Networks. We are in Mobile VAS using SMS. We have services for enterprises and individuals.