Mobiles opening more doors

By ROB O'NEILL

Mobile-phone users will soon be spoilt for choice when it comes to receiving personalised news, sport and other forms of content.

Just a week after Vodafone rolled out its My Vodafone mobile portal, iTouch will launch its mobile services. Initially the services, which go live on Monday, will be based around short message service (SMS) and interactive voice response (IVR). But within six weeks a mobile internet service will also be available for the latest-generation mobile phones using WAP (wireless application protocol) browser technology.

iTouch is 71 per cent owned by Independent News & Media, Wilson & Horton's international parent company.

Project manager David Sweet said the service was separate from My Vodafone but was available on the Vodafone network. WAP phones would allow users to browse and perform selections and transactions from their mobile handsets.

"The biggest problem is getting the phones," said Mr Sweet. "The Nokia 7110 is network-approved but there is no volume worldwide. Ericsson's WAP phone is still not released."

Software problems, such as freezing screens, have also slowed the introduction of WAP.

But when the phones were readily available, users would be able to perform all kinds of transactions from buying flowers and CDs to trading shares from their cellphones, Mr Sweet said.

He expected share trading to be available in three to four months.

Many of iTouch's services will be delivered in alliance with established leaders in their spheres. Users will, for instance, be able to check encumbrances on a motor vehicle before buying it using a service provided in association with Baycorp.

News and information service profiles can be personalised online or through interactive voice response. Voice services are accessible through an 0900 number starting at 99c a minute plus GST, ranging up to $20 plus GST for a motor vehicle check.

Other content deals cover weather and local traffic, news, sport, horoscopes, surf and fishing, health, Lotto and legal and pets advice.