Google has dropped the invitation-only system for its email service in several markets. 

A company spokesman told vnunet.com that the search giant would be allowing users in EMEA and Brazil to obtain email accounts freely for the service known in the UK and Germany as Google Mail, and as Gmail everywhere else. 

Users in other regions will still need to get an invitation from an existing Gmail user or apply to receive an invitation via SMS.

The Google spokesman explained that the move to open Gmail is part of an ongoing growth strategy for the company.

"We have been doing this gradually to ensure that, as we grow and scale, we continue to provide the fast and reliable service that users have come to expect from Gmail," he said.

The spokesman would only say that similar changes to the Gmail invitation system in other markets would be coming "soon".

The move to open up the service coincides with Google's announcement that the mobile version of Gmail will be translated into UK English, French, Spanish, Italian and German.

The mobile Gmail service requires a Java-equipped handset and a data service plan.