Mobile operators promise IM for all

The mobile giants have agreed common standards for IM interoperability

Fifteen of the world's largest mobile phone operators, including Orange, T-Mobile and Vodafone, have signed a deal to include common standards for instant messaging (IM) interoperability.

The deal, which consists of 32 letters of intent, will see common IM protocols shared between operators so that customers from their networks can chat using IM. The services will also be strengthened to limit the effects of spam and virus attacks.

"Thanks to this coordinated IM campaign, more than 700 million mobile subscribers will eventually have access to an IM service that is intuitive, reliable, secure and will work across networks," said Rob Conway, chief executive of the GSM Association.

"Crucially, users will only pay to send, not receive, messages, meaning that they can easily control their spending and minimise spam."

The 'Personal IM' service was launched at a combined press conference at 3GSM in Barcelona. India will be the first country to benefit from the service, since the majority of its mobile operators have signed up.