Mobile aid to bidding

Telecom customers can now make bids on internet site Trade Me and receive text alerts on watchlist items using their mobile phones.

Telecom general manager of consumer marketing Kevin Bowler said Trade Me members could receive auction alerts on their mobile phones and make text bids.

This would allow people to bid at the close of an auction while still getting on with their busy lives, he said.

Trade Me general manager Sam Morgan believed the service was likely to find favour with 18 to 35-year-olds.

"The feedback from our community indicated that younger people on the move were often unable to bid at close times.

"Text alerts and phone bidding gives mobile users the ability to bid anywhere, anytime."