Virgin Mobile USA launches 3jam 'SMS 2.0' services

It’s not often that a mobile operator launches innovative services such as what Virgin Mobile‘s just announced:

Virgin Mobile is announcing the launch of 3jam SMS 2.0, a way for users to send SMS to groups with replies of any member of the group, going to all group members. Some folks can send an SMS to a group of folks but no other service allows for a recipient to receive messages from all group members.

Basically it’s reply-all text messaging. Sounds basic but this means that with more messaging volume = more $$$.

Given a fair wind, 3jam could really boost messaging traffic substantially.

Using 3jam to ‘reply-all’ to your friends is a very appealing method of group communication. Particularly in view of the fact that you don’t pay multiple-message distribution costs. You just pay for your single outgoing text to 3jam, explained thus:.

Q: If I use 3jam to group text with multiple people, do I pay for an outgoing message to each person?
A: No! You only incur the cost of the one outgoing message sent to 3jam. 3jam then sends your message to all the other recipients of the group text.

They’ve also got a Facebook application too!

Check out the 3jam Virgin Mobile page for more information.