MEX

Network operator mmO2 has announced that it will launch multimedia messaging services (MMS) in its four European markets later this month. Dubbed O2 Media Messaging, the service will enable users to exchange personal messages and subscribe for multimedia information alerts.

O2 will also provide a range of web-based tools through its portal for generating and storing content, including photo manipulation tools and media libraries. The services will be available to users of the Nokia 7650, SonyEricsson T68i and Nokia 3510. Additional handsets, including Sharp’s GX1 and the Siemens S55 will be released over the next few months.

Media Messenging will be available to both pre- and post-pay customers. O2 plans to focus on ease-of-use, ensuring every customer who walks out of a shop with an MMS-capable handset is aware of how to use the feature.

O2 information alerts will include sport, entertainment, gossip, news, travel, finance and weather. Additional services will be available from members of O2’s third party development programme, Source O2. Prices for these services will start at EUR 0.23.

Pricing will vary from market to market. In Germany, users will pay EUR 0.39 for a message up to 30 Kb and EUR 0.99 for up to 100 Kb. British users will pay GBP 0.40 per message, but can purchase ‘bolt on’ packages starting at 10 messages per month for GBP 3.00. O2 will support MMS roaming across its European networks, but it is unclear whether users will pay their home rate when sending a message in another country.