Guardian Unveils Paid For SMS Alerts

Guardian Unlimited has unveiled the first stage in its plan for subscription based content with the launch of a paid-for SMS alert service.

From this week Orange, BT and Vodafone mobile phone users will be offered news, media, politics and football SMS updates from the Guardian unlimited website. Subscription to the service is free and users will pay up to 25p through reverse billing for each message they receive.

The service, which is being provided in conjuction with the Wireless Information Network, will be promoted throughout the Guardian Unlimited network of websites with buttons, banners and text ads.

Guardian Unlimited’s channels manager, Mark Headley, said: “We are delighted to offer users these bespoke SMS services across our key areas of news. Our SMS content is not automated but written by our own site editors providing users with unique and reliable information. With SMS spam on the increase, we will ensure that the user is not bombarded, but receives only need to know information director to their mobile phone.”

A number of newspaper publishers are rumoured to be considering subscription based models for their online services. News International merged the online presence of The Times and the Sunday Times last October (see Times And Sunday Times Online To Merge) as part of a move towards a premium paid-for service and The Telegraph and the FT could soon follow suit.

Earlier in the month Guardian Newspapers, which owns the Guardian Unlimited websites, announced that it is cutting 35 jobs across the group as a result of the deterioration in the advertising market (see Guardian Newspapers To Cut 35 Jobs).

Guardian Media Group: 020 7278 2332 www.gmgplc.co.uk

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