Changes to O2 Text Alerts Service: as explained in an e-mail to users: "We are sending you this as our records show that you are an O2 registered user and that you have been receiving one or more of our Free Text Alerts Services. [...] In order to maintain quality standards and ensure continued improvement to our text alert services, we will be introducing charges for text alerts from 30 days' time. With effect from 3rd August 2002, the applicable charge for Vodafone and Orange customers is from 20p[*] (incl. VAT) per alert received."

Thanks to reader Mark for the tip. Mobile services such as alerts or PC-to-phone SMS gateways are increasingly switching to paying. Most pricing schemes are based on pay-per-use, sold by the unit or as prepaid packages.

[*]that's about 30 cents.