MEDIA-I: Black Octopus brings mParty service to China

<p>GUANGZHOU: Black Octopus, a provider of wireless instant messaging </p><p>services, has launched its mParty service in China. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Available through Guangdong Mobile Communications, the service allows </p><p>users to chat with friends, enter contests and access content by sending </p><p>an SMS message to the mParty 8288 number. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The service does not require a PC or downloads, according to the </p><p>company, and operates on all GSM mobile phones. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Black Octopus chairman and chief executive officer, Steve Haslett, said: </p><p>"Mparty messages cost no more than a standard SMS message, currently </p><p>RMB0.10 (less than a US cent) in Guangdong. The monthly subscription of </p><p>RMB4 is free of charge during the September launch period." </p><p><BR><BR> </p>