Original URL: https://www.theregister.com/2000/10/17/us_finally_gets_twoway_mobile/

US finally gets two-way mobile phone text messaging

Get with it, grandad

By Robert Blincoe

Posted in Networks, 17th October 2000 15:59 GMT

Two way text messaging via mobile phones has finally hit the US.

So if it takes off in anything like the way it has in Europe and Asia, the youth of America are about to indulge in a non-stop 24/7 orgy of banal messaging, flirting and gossiping.

AT&T launched the service today. It is offering fee and unlimited messaging services until 28 February 2001. After that it will cost $4.99 for to send up to 500 messages a month. Or you can opt to receive 250 messages a month for free.

These numbers will not impress serious messagers. One Scandinavian bloke was sending 217 messages a day and is now being treated for his addiction. AT&T quotes industry reports estimating nine billion text messages were sent worldwide in August.

The AT&T service is available on a variety of AT&T digital multi-network phones such as Nokia models 5160I, 6160m, 6162m and the 8260.

This week AOL will announce a deal to enable 85 million people to use its instant-messaging system to send messages to and from phones using the Sprint PCS network. ®

Related Stories

Text Messaging could save your life
Scandinavian treated in clinic for SMS addiction