Twitter to allow access on mobile phones without Internet

Users will soon be able to access Twitter on their entry-level mobile phones or feature phones without the need for mobile internet or mobile data plan.

Twitter is looking forward to increase usage of its social networking and microblogging services in emerging markets by offering low-cost access to users even if they’re just using GSM-based phones. Instead of using mobile internet, the new service will take advantage of Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) to download text-only Twitter feeds.

To make this possible, Twitter is partnering with mobile software companies like U2opia Mobile and, just recently, with Myriad Group to bring this kind of service to mobile network operators across the world. The Myriad Group, a Switzerland-based company with offices worldwide including the Philippines, calls this service “Twitter for USSD” and has provided a screenshot (see image above) of what it will look like.

“Our goal is to help extend the growing worldwide popularity of Twitter, by making the service accessible to users who would otherwise be unable to afford to access the service.” said Stephen Dunford, CEO Myriad Group.

At this point, it now depends on our local telcos if they want to deploy this kind of service to their customers.

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