Google launches internet-free “Gmail SMS” mobile service for Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya

Google today July 18, 2012 has launched a new internet connection-free service known as Gmail SMS for three African countries – these are Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria.

According to Google, the new service will now allow one to send and receive emails as SMS messages using a mobile phone, regardless of “whether or not your phone has an internet connection, like Wifi or 3G”.

“Gmail SMS works on any phone, even the most basic ones which only support voice and SMS,” the technology giant said on its blog page.

“We’re excited to be making this new service available in Ghana, Nigeria and Kenya,” Google said.

The Gmail SMS automatically forwards one’s emails as SMS text messages to “your phone and you can respond by replying directly to the SMS”.

Receiving Gmail SMS is free of charge, Google said adding “Standard SMS rates apply when replying to messages, creating new messages and sending Gmail SMS commands from your phone”.

By Ekow Quandzie