14 DAY TRIAL // Sonera announced that its customers can now use the Microsoft Windows Live Messenger (MSN) instant messaging service on their mobile phones. The service, which operates in a similar way as on the computer, allows users to stay connected to friends using text and smileys when they are on the move or away from their desktop PC.
The service is available to Sonera's customers for ?5.90 per month, and consumers are given the possibility to test the service free of charge for two weeks. The monthly charge includes the domestic data transmission required by the service.
"Web services are entering mobile phones with increasing speed, and Mobile Messenger is a service we wish to offer our customers anytime and anywhere. Windows Live Messenger has over a million active users in Finland each month, and now we are the first in Finland to offer the mobile version to Finnish users. Sonera's service operates particularly well, as the phone alerts when a new message is received even if Messenger is not on," said Pasi Mehtonen, Director of TeliaSonera's Mobility Services Finland.
Initially, Windows Live Messenger operates on the following phones: Nokia 6230i, 6233, 6280, 6111, 6131, 5300 and Sony Ericsson K750i, K610i, W810i. More new phone models suited for instant messaging, as well as phone packages particularly intended for Messenger use will be available in the future.
The program required for using the instant message service can be downloaded from Sonera SurfPort, which is accessible by the SurfPort key of a SurfPort phone, by keeping the "0" key pressed down, or by sending the text message "linkki messenger" to 15400. The Messenger service has been developed in cooperation by TeliaSonera and Microsoft.