New Delhi: A new service called Fonetwish could soon bring Twitter to those who don't have an internet connection. Singapore-based startup U2opia Mobile is tying up with Twitter to launch its service in the first quarter of next year, Chief Executive and Co-founder Sumesh Menon said.
To access Twitter, users will need to dial a simple code to get a feed of the popular trending topics on the micro-blogging site.
However, users will access only a stripped-down version of Twitter which will be devoid of pictures, videos or other graphics. The new service is aimed towards emerging markets.
Menon said the service is done through a protocol called Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) which allows mobile phones to communicate with a service provider's computers.
Menon said the USSD will localize the Twitter feed according to the location of the user.
U2opia Mobile, which has a similar tie-up with Facebook Inc, will launch its Twitter service in the first quarter of next year.
With roughly 230 million users, Twitter sees steady growth in countries like Brazil, India, and Indonesia, but sees lack of mobile Internet infrastructure to be an impediment in growing its user base, and ultimately its advertising revenue, in those markets.
