O2 Wireless Media Messaging Launches in UK And Its FREE

O2 has launched its multimedia messaging service in the UK offering customers free media messaging until 31st January 2003. The service, called O2 Media Messaging is available on a “pay monthly” basis with a “pay & go” service following in early November 2002.

From mid November 2002, the Sharp GX1 camera phone will be sold exclusively with O2, and will be available in O2 stores, selected retail outlets and online. The Sharp GX1 will be available on both pay monthly and pay & go calling plans.

O2 Media Messaging includes a strong portfolio of value-added services accessible via the O2 portal such as applications that enable customers to store and enhance their photos - to add speech bubbles or change friends into cartoons for example - and create and send media messages online. Customers can also upload images to their personal ‘photo album’ as well as download content from the multimedia library – including pictures and sounds.

Cath Keers, Director Consumer Markets O2 UK, said: “We have developed a rich and comprehensive media messaging service that is simple to use with straightforward charging. Media messaging is a natural evolution of the strong trend in texting. It offers our customers the opportunity to share spontaneous moments using pictures, sound and text which we believe will have broad consumer appeal.”

The launch of O2 Media Messaging in the UK will be supported by a major advertising campaign with the strapline ‘invent your own language’. The advertising reinforces to customers the idea that they can invent their own language with pictures, sound and text from everyday situations. The adverts will appear across a wide spectrum of media including satellite TV, Cinema, radio, print, outdoor, ambient and online. Additionally there will be extensive demonstrations of the service throughout the country by dedicated media messaging teams.

With O2 Media Messaging, the standard cost of sending a media message will be 40p per message. “Bolt On” options will also be offered in the New Year, bringing costs down to as little as 28p per message. The service offers roaming in 18 other territories including Ireland, Germany, Netherlands, France, Italy, Spain and Hong Kong.

As well as the Sharp GX1, other media messaging-enabled devices available from early November include the Nokia 3510 (receive only), the Sony Ericsson T68i (with camera attachment) and the Nokia 7650. Other handsets - the Nokia 7210, Sony Ericsson T300, Panasonic GD87 and Siemens S55 - will follow shortly.