The Web-to-mobile-SMS service is the first in Uganda, and will allow Gmail users to send and receive chat messages with mobile phone users for free. Mobile phone recipients of the chat messages sent from PCs can respond via their phone and the response will appear in the sender's Gmail interface.

During the launch, Google said the standard network charges for SMS will apply for any communication from the phone to desktop, while SMS in Gmail chat is free from desktop to phone .

Users are complaining about the rates mobile phone networks are charging when a user responds via their phone to the PC. Some users report that the SMS-to-PC messages cost twice as much as phone-to-phone text messages.

However, Google's business development associate for Uganda, Elijah Kitaka said the new service has been specifically designed with the African consumer in mind and will bring a new level of flexibility and mobility to Gmail chat.

"Google appreciates the vibrancy of Uganda's Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector and has launched this service to make the internet even more useful to Ugandans on a daily basis,"Kitaka. said.