Telstra (Australia) provides ICQ over SMS for customers

ICQ for SMS extends the instant messaging service giving Telstra Mobile customers the ability to exchange messages with their ICQ friends on their mobile phone.

Telstra is offering to its six million customers more flexibility in their communications.

ICQ for SMS enables Telstra Mobile customers to log in to ICQ, access their Contact List of friends, and see who in their Contact List is online. Users can also receive instant messages from their friends, and have the ability to send and respond to instant messages, all from their mobile phone or wireless device.

Users are also able to maintain contacts in their Contact List from their mobile phone or device. This process ensures they remain in control of who sends them ICQ for SMS messages.

Telstra Mobile users are charged the standard rate for each SMS sent to either a PC or another phone via the service. Telstra Mobile customers are also charged AU$ 25 cents (GST inclusive) for each ICQ for SMS instant message sent to their handset. Both pre-paid and post-paid customers will have access to this new service.

To activate the service Telstra Mobile customers will need an ICQ number and password.