Hotmail goes mobile in Asia

C|Net | at | by Mike

Users in Asia will soon be able to access MSN Hotmail and Messenger services via mobile phones and personal digital assistants. With the debut, Hotmail and Messenger users in Asia will have an alternative to the PC for sending and receiving messages. The new option uses SMS (Short Messaging Service) technology. Both services will initially launch in three Asian markets, thanks to Microsoft's partnerships with Singapore Telecommunications (SingTel), CSL in Hong Kong and ChungHwa Telecom in Taiwan. Hotmail services will begin next month, while the instant messaging offering will start in October, said Raj Sambwani, MSN Asia's business development director.