Chinese portals are expecting MMS (multimedia messaging) services to become a “gold mine” sustaining their profit growth, and have earmarked large sums for aggressive development. “MMS based on 2.5G technology will herald explosive growth in 2004,” according to Sohu’s CEO, Charles Zhang. At the end of 2003, 8 million Chinese residents subscribed to MMS; this industry is expected to be worth US$22 billion by 2008. Other portals also are eyeing the move toward MMS from SMS (text messaging). Interestingly, this news comes at a time when portal Lycos UK has announced that it will close its free SMS service due to rising costs. Close to 2 million registered users were able to send up to three messages per day from the portal to mobile phones free of charge.
Uncategorized
SMS/MMS: Free or Not Free, That Is the Question
Support high-integrity, independent journalism that serves democracy. Make a gift to Poynter today. The Poynter Institute is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, and your gift helps us make good journalism better.
Donate
Tags: E-Media Tidbits, WTSP
More News
‘No comment’: When it’s time to make that the story
What an independent journalist and a student newspaper can teach journalists about sources who block them
January 3, 2025
Here’s what Poynter looked like 50 years ago
Orange walls. TVs with bunny ears. Light tables. And so much carpet …
January 2, 2025
When should journalists use the word ‘terrorism?’
The FBI is calling the attack in New Orleans that killed at least 10 an 'act of terrorism.' Here are some considerations for journalists.
January 1, 2025
A journalist reckons with the press’ treatment of baseball Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente
‘Call Me Roberto!,’ a nonfiction picture book, tells the story of the athlete’s struggle to get the media to respect him
December 31, 2024
Opinion | Editor’s choice: 15 of the best Poynter articles from 2024
A retrospective of a cult classic journalism movie. An editor who was fired for talking to us. A tipster’s massive find. What a year it was.
December 30, 2024