No one to call or text? No worries

Telecom has agreements with providers including TVNZ, Sky TV, Juice TV and E! Entertainment.

A video service launched today aims to keep mobile phone users entertained when there is nobody to call or text.

Music videos, sports highlights, news and movie trailers will be among clips of about four minutes' length available through Telecom's T3G network.

Telecom mobile general manager Kevin Kenrick said the service was part of a natural progression. "We used to listen to the radio, then we tuned into TV and surfed the net. Now we can flip open the phone."

Telecom has signed agreements with video providers, including TVNZ, Sky TV, Juice TV and E! Entertainment.

"We've worked hard to provide content that New Zealanders will want to watch.

"Be it the national news, the latest video from Steriogram, or Tana Umaga leading the All Blacks to victory against the Lions," Kenrick said.

Clips can be accessed on Sanyo 7400 mobile phones, with more handsets capable of receiving video clips planned for release in the coming months.

Senior corporate affairs executive Phil Love said the service would be free for at least three months, with long-term prices yet to be decided.

More than 35,000 Kiwis own handsets capable of receiving the new service.