Free SMS from ICQ for T-Mobile customers

• Users can send free SMS from ICQ to the T-Mobile network
• Reply SMS from a mobile phone to ICQ are charged at CZK 3 each - the price applies to both contract and Twist customers

Prague, 31 March 2008 - As of today, T-Mobile and the Atlas internet portal offer free SMS from ICQ. Users of both the Czech and English versions of the popular communication tool can send free text messages to the T-Mobile network beginning 31 March. If recipients send reply SMS to ICQ from their mobile phones, they will be charged CZK 3/SMS irrespective of whether they are using a tariff plan or prepaid services. For each such reply from a mobile phone, the ICQ user gets another five SMS completely free of charge.

No fee is charged for the service allowing sending text messages from ICQ to the T-Mobile network. Reply text messages sent from a mobile phone to ICQ are charged at CZK 3 each incl. VAT via the SMS Premium service, irrespective of whether the user uses a tariff plan or prepaid services.

In order to be able to send free text messages from ICQ to the T-Mobile network, the user must get a reply SMS from a mobile phone to at least every fifth message sent. For one such reply, the user may send another five free text messages. If the user uses up his/her "free SMS credit", or if the user does not receive any reply from a mobile phone, he/she can prepay such messages. This requires simply sending a text message to 903 90 03 with ICQ <space> <your ICQ number>. One "top-up" SMS is charged at CZK 3 incl. VAT and enables the ICQ user to send five free SMS. The credit can be checked at any time under a special link in ICQ Xtra.

Furthermore, Atlas is offering to all new registered ICQ users initial credit for 15 free SMS which can be sent to the T-Mobile network.

Sending SMS is very easy. It is only necessary to have a phone number with the recipient's profile and select SMS in the message window with on-line dialog. SMS from ICQ are sent in the same way as in the case of standard communication via ICQ, except that it is necessary to click on the mobile-phone icon. Text messages can also be sent to persons who do not use the ICQ application. The message then goes via the SMS gateway to the operator's network, where messages are addressed to users of the given phone numbers. The recipient can immediately reply from his/her mobile phone directly to ICQ. This reply is displayed in the program window and the user thus has the whole dialog in front of him/her, just as during standard ICQ chat.

For more information and complete instructions, please see http://icq.atlas.cz/smszdarma/

Contact information:
Nikola Baranová                                                                                  Martin Březina  
PR Point                                                                                             ATLAS.CZ, a. s.           
(+420) 736 751 582                                                                            (+420) 234 096 922                  
nikola.baranova@prpoint.cz                                                                  brezina@atlas-as.cz     

 

About ICQ
ICQ is a leading instant messaging service provider with a global online communications community. The company's robust instant messaging software, enhanced communications features and dynamic community are available in 19 languages free of charge at http://www.icq.com./ ICQ, created in 1996 by the Israel-based company, Mirabilis, is now wholly owned by AOL LLC. ICQ and the flower logo are registered trademarks of AOL LLC in the USA and other countries in the world.

About Atlas.cz
Atlas.cz is a Czech internet portal with vast sources of information for business, communication and leisure activities. The portal's success is based on outstanding people, high-quality services and satisfied users. Particularly with its content services, Atlas aims to appeal not only to the target group of people aged 25 and up, but especially to young families that rely on the internet. Younger users find Atlas attractive particularly thanks to ICQ, with which Atlas has an exclusive partnership in the Czech Republic. Atlas.cz is the parent company of Atlas.sk which operates in Slovakia, and has nearly 200 employees in both countries.

T-Mobile Czech Republic, a member of the international telecommunications group Deutsche Telekom, has almost 6.2 million customers, the number-one operator in the Czech market. T-Mobile is an integrated operator: in addition to telecommunications services, it offers comprehensive ICT solutions not only for companies, but also for other organizations and individuals. It provides outstanding services in the high-speed network, which was proved repeatedly by benchmark testing performed by umlaut (former P3) with Best-in-Test seal.

T-Mobile Czech Republic places emphasis on taking a responsible approach to the environment and society. It adheres to fair business practices, helps beneficial applications and services to see the light of day, supports non-profit organizations, small businesses and individuals, and lends a helping hand whenever crisis situations arise. The company’s employees serve as volunteers in many places across the entire Czech Republic.

More information about the company is available at www.t-mobile.cz, www.t-press.cz (the portal for journalists) and www.t-mobile.cz/pomahame (information on the company’s CSR activities).

Contact details of the press unit: press@t-press.cz.