Recently, our CEO was interviewed on Mobile Advertising & the concept behind 160by2 by Nayanima basu of Indo-Asian News Service.
An excerpt of this Interview:
Want to send an SMS for free? Just click www.160by2.com.
“On one side were users who wanted free SMS and on the other side were brands and media companies trying to reach these consumers. Initially we ignored them but as the number increased, we realised that there was a genuine opportunity here, waiting to be exploited,” said Satya Kalyan Yerramsetti, CEO, SMSCountry Networks Pvt. Ltd.
For sending an SMS from 160by2.com, one needs to only fill up a simple registration form.
The name ‘160by2` was based on the concept that users can send free SMS of up to 80 characters while the remaining 80 would be utilised by advertisers, with both sides getting to use half of the mobile screen.
“The advertiser pays for the SMSs that are sent from the users to another mobile user. Thus every free SMS used by the user is subsidised by the advertiser,” Yerramsetti told IANS.
“There is a specific thing called the ‘Ad Serve’ engine, which intelligently understands what ad to be tagged into each user-generated SMS based on advertiser requirement and accordingly prices the advertisements,” he explained.
For example, one of the firm’s clients, McDonald’s, wanted to promote its delivery number in Mumbai. Thus every SMS that was being sent in Mumbai during the general lunchtime hours carried an ad stating: “Get a free McShake, call our toll-free number.”
“We haven’t yet monetised our website that has about 600,000 page views every day but we see a huge potential in monetising and offering contextual advertising,” he said.
The company has sales offices in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore. It has run campaigns for almost 15 brands such as Cadbury, GSK, McDonald’s, Kingfisher Airlines, Jet airways and Force India F1 among others.
It is also keen to service the local retail market and is working in association with various media planning agencies such as Madison and Starcom IP.
“Our idea is to make SMS free for everyone in the country and every free SMS will carry an appropriate ad in it. So we are talking to a couple of telecom operators such as Airtel and Idea Cellular to offer SMS to their subscribers completely free and we will serve ads into the messages,” Yerramsetti averred.
It plans to start this initially in a few big circles and eventually roll out on a pan-India basis.
“As a pilot we might work in a couple of circles and when the operators see a huge revenue potential we will roll out across circles.”
160by2.com has over 450,000 registered users with the registrations growing at 30-40 percent month on month.
“We reached about 1.5 million mobiles in the month of February 2008 and served ads in about 60 percent of those SMS. About 30 percent of our recipient base is registered with 160by2,” he said.
Mobile advertising in India is still in a nascent stage offering huge potential waiting to be tapped.
“Today we see a few start-ups trying out different models but we do not look at them as competition. No one really understands the consumer needs and behaviour on this medium,” highlighted Yerramsetti.
“Hence, for us the competition is basically from global advertising giants like Google, Yahoo and MSN who are looking at entering the mobile advertising space. There are also the global mobile operators like Vodafone, T-mobile, who with their dwindling ARPUs (average revenue per users) want to get into future money-spinners like advertising on mobiles.”
It also has plans to serves ads into third-party mobile content providers like news, cricket, horoscope and stock alerts among others.
Other websites where the Interview was posted are:
Yahoo!, DNAIndia.com, Hindustan times, Zeenews, sify.com, among others.
April 10th, 2008 at 5:11 am
hi that was a nice article… hats off to you man!!!!
April 10th, 2008 at 7:19 am
its really nice site.. to connect friends quickly.. really good to 160by2 teams…
April 10th, 2008 at 11:06 am
Hi,
I am really amazed by the service . Its ver user friendly and infact very fact compare to the many other websites .I saved lot of time and money for sending my new number to colleagues and friends.
All the best for future
April 10th, 2008 at 11:14 am
160by2= good relation
April 10th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
hii
i like 160by2 alott…..
the best thing about 160by 2is there site is ad free this really show how
customer oriented they are instead of making money from there site…
and the free sms sevice by them help to slash my mobile bill ..espicially in
case of std sms………
i luv ur site but
plz increase the character and maximum no. of sms frm 50 to at least 100
April 10th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
Good speaker… the concept was actually un-explored, thats why 160by2 will flourish…
April 10th, 2008 at 10:06 pm
hii
i like ur site ….especially coz its ad free ………
jus increse the the words from 80 to at least 100
and sending from 50 msgs perday to 100…….
i like ur all the services …….
u r going at a very fast rate…..hats off to u
abhishek saini
http://abhisheksaini29.blogspot.com
April 10th, 2008 at 11:36 pm
hi,
very great your service
April 11th, 2008 at 9:55 am
Wow it is really fentastic
April 11th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Have you seen this news item -
http://www.livemint.com/2008/04/10230113/Now-Google-movie-listings-and.html
May i humbly point you once again to the need for information on 100s of things in the daily life of the “aam aadmi” with only the standard voice+sms phone?
Most don’t have (a) the money, (b) time or (c) inclination to get Java enabled smartphones, iphones, symbian-based, win mobile based phones etc
All “public utility services” can be monetised by 80,80 msg,ads.
In fact, if you think well, ads in some segments can do with just names and contact numbers.
You _must_ try out various advertisement wording formats over targetted segments to see whether 80/80 is best or even 120/40 will do. If 120/40 works 80% as well, the volume increase you get due to increasing msg from 80 to 120 will easily pay for the 80 to 40 ad text decrease.
For now, 100/60 is probably better.
In any case, you should be doing some impromptu targetted testing…
Since your basic app is probably stable by now, you should try new tricks because in communications, six months of stagnation is _asking_ for the end.
Look at Yahoo, for instance … or Vista, or Internet Explorer …
So, while you think of the cheerful 20% and their enthu to try out new things, the big guys are going after the 80%
I’ll tell you what you need to do first:
Bus, train, plain real-time updates
Travel office procedures
Tourism information
Govt procedures for standard requirements
Presently all such load is born by one-off sites relying on meagre text ads from google and on their luck to earn some extra cash.
) you have your data input stream ready.
If you partner with them (or they with you, as you might soon like to say it
Disaster managament systems could be made to rely on sms if you convince those idiots of cell phone operators that they can simply block all voice calls and keep sms active to prevent the networks from getting jammed during emergencies or disasters.
Btw, take it from me, they will only listen to this if the govt announces a tax-break for them.
“Paisa banta hai to karega, nahi to logon ko marne do na, hamara kya jata hai…”
Such is their high indifference to their “valuable users”, but that is another story…
Hope this gives some good ideas to you and some good services to us
Symbiosis is the word. Live and let live. Earn and let earn.
April 14th, 2008 at 12:17 am
This is a nice service for us & so many members utilising this opportunity for free sms.Very easy process for rigistration(sign up).
April 14th, 2008 at 12:42 am
It is really a help for those who want to send short messages free of cost. This is a very good service u r doing.
April 14th, 2008 at 10:08 am
Nice one…Nice approac n idea of business indeed.
April 14th, 2008 at 10:00 pm
160by2 is very nice service this services is conating the people and continu good communcation friends,relative
April 14th, 2008 at 10:34 pm
EAST 2 WEST 160by2.com IS BEST….
I LIKE 160by2.com
(*just increase the the words from 80 to at least 100)
April 15th, 2008 at 7:27 am
M jus so amazed by the concept.
Also wat ‘160by2takes3′ has said.
Jus “So simple” & yet so “effective” n “profitable”!!
If WE people also start thinking like these great ppl.. i really think we
can surely reach somewhere and Add our contribution to our community.
April 15th, 2008 at 8:40 am
its jus great….adds to the flavour of daily routined relationships….
April 15th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
I Like Wonderful 160by2.com
April 15th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
Wonderful site to send free SMS.but would be excellent if there is no restriction to num of SMS sent to one number/day
April 17th, 2008 at 3:29 am
160by2.com ROCKS
April 17th, 2008 at 5:36 am
I want to work in these service. It helping somany people i inspired now i came to know that there are jobs in these service.I was so happy when i heard.how to contact to u to attend the job plese reply me.sorry i was approaching correct or not i donow.But i can approach in these way only.
April 17th, 2008 at 6:11 am
Hi….superb article….
I like 160by2 very much…..
My request is to extend the no of characters.
I got a problem,while sending messages to one recipient simultaneously only 3 out of 10 msgs reached…this is a constant prob…plz do something for that….
April 17th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
I forgot to say thanks!
Thanks for the great work and service, Mr. _Jain_ and the rest of the 160by2 team.
I had a look at the mmm meet report and was very much impressed by the panel of inDUSTry leaders present there.
Best wishes for the future
April 18th, 2008 at 11:35 am
dis iz my second love!!!!!!
April 19th, 2008 at 12:00 am
cant get better service than this. whats more if the updates to IPL scores are free then its a gorgeous move. carry on the show man…!
April 19th, 2008 at 10:56 pm
AWESOME SITE…..NEED 2 HAV MORE LIK DAT.
April 20th, 2008 at 11:19 am
Wow!!!…
160by2…. Absolutely Stunning..!!!..
No words to Xplain!!!…
Really a great Job done by the smscountry crews.
April 21st, 2008 at 8:04 am
its truely a great site and very convienent to use it and its just great
April 22nd, 2008 at 12:16 am
its jus great….adds to the flavour of daily routined relationships….
shekar Says:
I Like Wonderful 160by2.com
Chandru Says:
Wonderful site to send free SMS.but would be excellent if there is no restriction to num of SMS sent to one number/day
Melvin Says:
April 22nd, 2008 at 3:56 am
160BY 2 MEANS “KAR LO INDIA MUTTHI MA”. LETS ROCKING…………….
April 22nd, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Wow it is really fentastic. forgot to say thanks!Wonderful site to send free SMS…Thanks to 160by2 TEAM…LOVE U FRIENDS.
April 23rd, 2008 at 4:18 am
It is the best website . But it will good if you send MOre IPL SCORES ON MOBILE . We are receiving only 2sms from you .
April 24th, 2008 at 1:42 am
Hi this is a Good site i have ever seen.I m able to send free messages to all my friends.And also able to send important news in time.
Thanks and All my good Wishes r with u
April 27th, 2008 at 5:22 am
Hi..
This is the best site avilable out of the billions of the websites on net.
Hats off to the CEO Sir.
All the best wishes to the team of this website for future and thanks for providing such an unmatchable facility.
April 27th, 2008 at 5:22 am
Hi..
This is the best site avilable out of the billions of the websites on net.
Hats off to the CEO Sir.
All the best wishes to the team of this website for future and thanks for providing such an unmatchable facility.
April 27th, 2008 at 5:59 am
Great initiative by 160by2.
Hats off to you.
Please increase the no. of SMS/day, Initially i was able to send only 10 SMS/ day…
Only one request, please be with us forever and maintain the service quality as you maintained till now.
All the best.
Kudoooossssssssssssss…
April 27th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
Aloha,, Our CEO Speaks - Media Coverage - what in interesting and controversial topic! birthday horoscope is a passion of mine and you’ve captured my thoughts to a T!
April 28th, 2008 at 11:15 am
all the best
April 29th, 2008 at 7:58 am
Hello Sir,
Undoubtedly excellent service and the site is becoming popular day by day.
But, what I want to know from you is, what are the ways you are earning. I haven’t seen any ads on the site or may be I didnt wait for them to flash.
And what are your future plans. I am sure, you are not here for social service. There is surely something big playing on your mind. If not the whole story, just tell us where do you see your company in next few months or a year.
I hope you would answer this.
Regards,
Prateek Maheshwari.
April 29th, 2008 at 8:22 am
Hello! I am thoroughly impressed with your knowledge of Birthday Horoscope. Your insights into this article about Birthday Horoscope was well worth the the time to read it. I thank you for posting such awsome information. Signed James Kryten on this Day Tuesday.
April 30th, 2008 at 4:20 am
It is relly awesome!
160by2.com Rock’s
May 3rd, 2008 at 9:25 am
this website is very imp for organisation people because my org mobile is not allowade.then send the sme argently.
ok thanks
your user
yamgar
May 6th, 2008 at 4:05 am
Well thought of plan for the younger and the business world where its connects the both of them………
May 7th, 2008 at 3:21 am
http://www.160by2.com its really gods gift
May 8th, 2008 at 5:49 am
Innovatiove ideas only pays.. congrats the developer .. if you reach small towns, its the real sucesss.
May 9th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
I love the service, you work on the basics of live and let others live. Its a good concept. You earn from th ads and provide us free messaging service.
This is very use ful for a common person who just has to send a STD SMS and is charged not below Rs.2/- on an average. you save his 100 bugs a day, 3000 bugs a month, which he can use for other works. In one way you are increasing savings.I believe this is a very good initiative you took. You shold get more assistence form the Govt. as this a work in which you help people to save their money in this Era of growing inflation. You help to cut down a moblie bile of a person by atleast 2000 - 2500 a month. If you have 1 million users. So you can calculate how much savings you help people to make.
Hats off to you boss…
Keep it up..
A very good Idea of youe is http://www.160by2.com and it will surely flourish.
All the best.
I run an organization.I have 200 employees. All of them use this to communicate.
Thanks for your job to increase savings of the country.
Manish Gupta
May 10th, 2008 at 1:05 am
Hi, I m a relatively new user of dis wbste. I thoroughly njoyed it. Now I can sms anyone anytime from my office PC, that too free
May 10th, 2008 at 4:56 am
This is a realy good artical.it is really informative..i came to know upcoming future of the moble ads.. .thanks to 160by2 to offer us this facility.Hopfully we are awaiting more from u…
May 12th, 2008 at 12:45 am
hey grt job guys…d site rocks…kip it up..
May 12th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
hi thats was great interview ,
things are get clear behind for using such a convinient site
May 17th, 2008 at 2:29 am
hi,
your site is exellent
May 21st, 2008 at 12:28 am
its wonder full
July 9th, 2008 at 9:09 am
This is a realy good innovative artical..it is really informative too ..i came to know upcoming future of the mobile ads aplication.. .thanks to 160by2 to offer us this fantastic-featurebased-facility.Hopefully we are awaiting more n more from u…
July 10th, 2008 at 4:54 am
free sms seva ok
August 11th, 2008 at 8:09 am
This site is very useful for youngstars .
September 4th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
Hi frnds take care and i thank 2 this server .!
I really enjoyed very well ..