Head Offices: Telecommunications Street
P.O.Box 24929, CY-1396 Nicosia, Cyprus
Telephone: +357 2 701520, Ôelefax: +357 2 701185
e-mail: pr@cyta.cytanet.com.cy

 
Press Release: 37/2000
CYTA Introduces the Short Message Service (SMS)
on a Trial Basis

The Cyprus Telecommunications Authority wishes to announce that as part of its efforts to provide upgraded services in response to the needs of its customers, it is planning to introduce the Short Message Service (SMS), which enables the sending and receiving of text messages from Cyprus and abroad.

As from 12 April, all CYTAGSM customers may use this service, which is available on a trial basis, free of charge, in order to send and/or receive text messages on their mobile phones.  During this trial period, customers will be charged only for sending text messages while they are abroad, at the rate set by the foreign operator.

In the near future, when the Short Message Service is offered on a commercial basis and charges are applied to all messages sent, CYTA will again furnish its customers with all the necessary information regarding the service.

The following instructions will enable CYTAGSM customers to send and receive text messages during the trial period.

How to activate the Short Message Service
Enter the Service Centre number, which is +357 9 700000.  This is a once-only procedure.

  1. From the messages menu, select  the Service Centre

    2. You will be asked to enter the Service Centre number.
  2. Enter +357 9 700000<OK>

    3. The “+” symbol represents the prefix for international calls. For information on how to enter it, refer to your mobile phone user manual.
How to send text messages
  1. From the messages menu select the “write” option.

    2. You may “write” the text message which you wish to send by using the keypad of  your mobile phone.  Each key represents three or four characters.
  2. “Write” the message and press <OK>

    3. You will be asked to enter the mobile phone number of the person who will receive the message.
  3. Enter the number and press <OK>.  If the number is XXXXXX, dial +357 9 XXXXXX.

    4. A message informing you of the successful or unsuccessful delivery of the message will be displayed on the screen of your mobile phone.
When you receive a text message
An “envelope” will appear on the screen of your mobile phone. Many models also give an audible signal that a message has been received.

To read the text message
From the messages menu select the “read” option.

What happens if you are not in a position to receive a text message
Even if you are not in a position to receive a text message, the Service Centre will store it for up to 72 hours.  If,  during that time, you are able to receive messages, the Service Centre will send you the message at once.

What you need to know about storing text messages
SIM cards have the capacity to store a certain number of text messages (three or ten, depending on the card) including the SMS Notification which informs you of new messages in your Voicebox.  Text messages are stored in your SIM card,  while each new SMS Notification deletes the old one automatically.  Once your card is full you will not be able to receive new text messages.  We therefore recommend that you delete any messages you may not need.

The above instructions on how to use the Short Message Service may vary according to the particular model of mobile phone used. We therefore recommend that customers refer to their mobile phone user manual.

For further information, customers may visit any CYTA Customer Service Office or contact the CYTA Call Centre on 132 during office hours.

Please note that for technical reasons, customers of the SYMPHONY service are presently unable to send text messages.
 

Public Relations Department
17 April 2000

Press Releases
Archive 2000