Ericsson using SMS Technology to aid Donations

The Swedish telecommunications equipment supplier, Ericsson, is aiding the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies with technology that allows anyone with a mobile telephone to make donations to the Red Cross' Tsunami disaster relief efforts in Asia.

Ericsson is using technology called Internet Payment Exchange which allows it to connect to local mobile phone networks, which in turn allows users to make donations, without having to do much more than quite literally lift a finger.

At present the service is being rolled out to countries around the world but is currently only active in Sweden and Thailand. To make donations, simply send an SMS to the number listed below next to the country where you are, type "RC" (if you are in Thailand) or Asien (if you are in Sweden) into the message, and send. Once you have successfully sent the donation SMS, you will receive a thank you SMS confirming your generosity.  All proceeds from the donations go to the local Red Cross Society in that country. The numbers and countries with this service active are: 

Ericcson is planning to launch a similar service in Taiwan next week, and as more countries are added to this innovative and worthwhile use of technology we will include them in the list above.

See other recent news from: Red Cross, Tsunami