Submitted by Mike Grenville on Tue, 10 Feb 2004 22:37

A deal with US-based inter-carrier mobile messaging vendor, InphoMatch will shortly enable O2 customers in the UK and Ireland to exchange text messages with mobile users throughout North America as well as in Japan and subscribers of Telecom New Zealand.

From the end of February, O2 is extending its international text messaging capability to enable both post and pre-pay customers to communicate with users of non-GSM networks of leading American and Canadian carriers, such as AT&T Wireless and Verizon Wireless, and operators in the Asia Pacific region. Until recently, interoperability existed only between GSM mobile networks, covering approximately just 17 per cent of all US mobile users.

The enhanced service opens up a potential market of more than 150 million additional subscribers. InphoMatch will convert each O2 message sent or received between GSM and CDMA networks - which are prevalent in North America, New Zealand and other Asia Pacific countries - before it is routed to the recipient's mobile device.

Paul Ruppert, vice president of International Sales, InphoMatch, Inc., said that "This service will evolve into premium messaging, such as MMS and picture messaging. "

Texts will be charged at standard international text rates, with prices starting from 12 pence per message, depending on the customer's tariff and discount options. In Ireland, texts will be charged at standard international rates of 25 euro cents.

www.inphomatch.com