Access to mobile internet has created opportunities in various sectors, including healthcare, education, and financial services. However, many people remain disconnected due to infrastructure limitations or economic barriers. The disparity in internet access is particularly evident in rural and underserved regions, where traditional broadband solutions are either unavailable or unaffordable. Addressing this gap, teks, a German-Filipino startup, has developed an SMS-based AI messaging solution that enables users to access AI services through basic text messaging. This approach seeks to offer an alternative to high-cost internet infrastructure, making digital services available to those with limited connectivity.
Past reports indicate that nearly 39% of the global population lives in areas with mobile broadband coverage but does not use it, while 4% of people reside in regions without any mobile broadband access. Efforts to bridge this digital divide have often focused on expanding broadband infrastructure, but progress has been slow due to financial and logistical constraints. teks takes a different approach by leveraging existing 2G networks, which cover a significant portion of the world’s population but are often overlooked in digital inclusion efforts.
How SMS-Based AI Messaging Works
teks enables AI interactions through simple text messaging, converting queries into responses without requiring an internet connection. The platform processes user requests, adapts responses for SMS compatibility, and delivers them in a format suitable for low-bandwidth networks. This method allows individuals in remote areas to access AI-driven information without the need for a smartphone or mobile data.
One of the founders, Carlo Baltazar Canda, explained the motivation behind teks:
“My rice farmer uncle wanted to use AI for weather forecasts and farming techniques but lacked a smartphone and access to reliable internet. We wondered—how can we bring AI to these areas?”
Challenges in Internet Accessibility
Many governments have developed online platforms to provide information on topics such as agriculture and public services. However, these websites often require high-speed internet, making them inaccessible to people with limited connectivity. Livia Dolle, teks’ CEO, highlighted this issue:
“Government websites are impossible to load on low-bandwidth connections. And even if a farmer reaches a website, navigating it without digital literacy is another challenge.”
The high cost of internet access also contributes to the digital divide. While satellite internet solutions like Starlink exist, they remain too expensive for many users. Additionally, NGOs that provide connectivity often do so on a short-term basis, making sustainability a concern.
Using 2G Networks to Deliver AI Services
teks relies on 2G SMS infrastructure to bring AI-powered services to those without traditional internet access. By converting AI-generated responses into SMS-friendly formats, the platform ensures that users can receive accurate and relevant information through text messages. This approach eliminates the need for web browsers or data plans, making AI access more inclusive.
Canda emphasized the importance of this method:
“Many people here don’t know how to use Google (NASDAQ:GOOGL) but know how to send a text. AI can take natural language queries, process them, and send back a response via SMS.”
Students benefit significantly from teks, as many struggle to access online educational resources. Previously, students had to travel to internet cafes to conduct research, but teks allows them to obtain information through text messaging.
Expanding AI access through SMS presents both opportunities and challenges. While teks provides a practical solution for low-connectivity environments, broader infrastructure improvements remain necessary for long-term digital inclusion. The slow expansion of high-speed networks means that teks could serve as a vital tool for years to come, especially in rural and underserved areas.
The company is also exploring the integration of AI messaging with other low-bandwidth networks like LoRa, aiming to extend its reach beyond SMS. Additionally, teks is working on verification layers for AI-powered agents to enhance the reliability of the responses provided. As digital access continues to grow unevenly, solutions like teks highlight the need for adaptable approaches to AI accessibility.
