You can now use Google Talk to send free SMS in India. Though the service has not yet been officially announced by Google India, it is now active.
Gtalk users will now be able to send text messages to mobile phones in India for free. This service currently works only on Loop Mobiles, DOCOMO, Vodafone, Airtel, Tata Indicom and Reliance networks, in few cities. Users can access the service via Google Gmail chat or using the Gtalk application. The send SMS feature is currently not available on Gtalk app, but will be enabled soon.
How does Google Talk free SMS work?
- To start with users get 50 message credits. They can send SMS for free in India on some networks.
- When a message is sent the credit decreases. Example 1 Message sent = -1 credit.
- If the user gets a reply for the message they sent using Gmail talk they get 5 credits. So for every reply users will get +5 credits up to a max of 50 credits.
- In case there is no reply and total credit drops to zero. 1 credit is added after 24 hours.
- Users can also buy SMS credits.
- Gtalk users can Block SMS’s from certain users using the Block feature that is already built into the Gtalk app.
- If mobile phone recipients (who may or may not be using Gtalk) do not wish to receive any SMS’s from the Gmail users they can send STOP to +918082801060.
- Also note that the Mobile numbers that are already in the DND registry will not receive the messages.
- Standard mobile operator charges will apply if a person replies to the SMS’s received from Google Talk. (if not using Gtalk application – i.e. sending SMS using Mobile phone).
Google is using this credit system to prevent spammers and from general misuse like for marketing. When low on credit user can send an SMS to their own phone number and reply back (many times if necessary) – they will get 5 credits for each reply. The max limit is 50 Credits.