Airtel launches Tamil SMS service

Airtel has introduced Tamil SMS service for its pre-paid and post-paid customers in Tamil Nadu. A company statement said the service would be suitable for all GPRS handsets. An outgoing SMS will be charged Re 1.

Airtel customers need to download the application from 'Airtel Live' free of cost onto their handsets to utilise this facility and view the message. Once the application is downloaded, the customer can type messages in Tamil using the unique key entry and rendering mechanism.

The service also has a help function to guide on how to use the standard English and numeric keyboard to type Tamil letters.

"Tamil SMS is the latest in the series of a number of technologically advanced services introduced by us. This new facility will enable Airtel customers of Tamil Nadu to express themselves in their mother tongue," said Mahesh Thampi, chief operating officer, Chennai and Tamil Nadu, said.