Optus, in conjunction with Nokia, has created a special mobile news and update service that brings the matches of the World Cup direct to your mobile. Australian Soccer fans can now access World Cup highlights including match scores and news reports throughout the period of the World Cup.

The Match2Mobile service will be available on three different mobile technology platforms including SMS, WAP and GPRS.

SMS capable handsets - One of the unique features of the Optus Match2Match SMS service is that it is available to any mobile user with an SMS-enabled handset. This means that Telstra, Orange and Vodafone customers can still share the World Cup experience. The Match2Mobile SMS service is a 'push' service. Once a customer has signed-up for the package, short text SMS messages containing the scores or match updates will be automatically sent (or pushed) to their mobile handset.

WAP & GPRS handsets - While SMS messages are limited to only 160 characters per message, those Optus customers who have a WAP or GPRS enabled handset will get the added benefit of even more detailed information including in-depth stories, player profiles and football trivia.

Paul Kitchin, Director Marketing for Optus Mobile, said "Match by match, half by half, goal by goal - you'll get the latest score updates in real time from Optus' Match2Mobile package.

"While SMS users will get great score updates, customers with WAP or GPRS enabled mobiles will get the added benefit of even more detailed World Cup information including in-depth news, player profiles and football trivia.

"For SMS users, we'll deliver up to 180 World Cup updates via SMS starting from 31 May to the end of the tournament for the low price of $27.95," Mr Kitchin said.

"Football fans will get the halftime and fulltime score of World Cup matches sent as an SMS direct to there mobile. Plus hot news reports, pre-quarterfinals match analysis with Harry Kewell and goal alerts throughout the finals," he said.

In an industry first, Optus will provide this SMS-based service to mobile users regardless of which network they are on - delivering the excitement of the World Cup direct to all sports fan's mobiles.

"This is the first time ever that Australians on all mobile networks can get access to Optus SMS content. Even Vodafone, Telstra and Orange customers can sign-up by getting a pre-paid voucher."

Optus is one of only six carriers worldwide offering the Match2Mobile service.

Nokia is supplying the behind the scenes technology to ensure timely and accurate delivery of scores and match results to customers.

The SMS-based Match2Mobile service is available to all Optus, Telstra, Vodafone and participating service provider customers. Vouchers can be purchased from any Optus World, C2One, Strathfield Car Radios, Australia Post, Quix, K-mart, Caltex and participating newsagents.