Flashers know how to get people's attention and so do flash SMSs - text messages that pop up on a mobile's screen. The text is right there for anyone to see, without it having to be rooted out from an inbox.
Flash messages are possible across all networks and most handsets, though not newer Nokia mobiles such as the 6210. The messages do not automatically drop into the SMS inbox but users can save them if they want.
They are popular in Asia, and in India, Yahoo offers a service that lets mobile users send them via its website. Senders don't get charged anything by Yahoo, but still pay the standard SMS rate to their mobile operator.
In the UK, Aerodeon, a mobile entertainment company, sent flash SMSs instead of Christmas cards last year. But it warns that some consumers that aren't expecting them can get a bit spooked.
Flash SMSs are just one of the many little-known mobile features that could start coming to the fore as operators seek new means of stimulating traffic. Blinking or flash text messages can be sent from www.textmessenger.com for about 5p; you earn credits by phoning a premium rate number costing £1.50 a minute.
SMS fans may also enjoy information services based around USSD, a little-known but super-fast alternative to Wap (the mobile internet standard). USSD or Unstruc tured Supplementary Services Data takes advantage of the signalling channel, normally used to set up voice calls on mobile networks, and it lies behind services such as Optus of Australia's Info2you.
Optus users dial #121# and press Send or Call, then choose from a menu including horoscopes, news and sport. The information is delivered by SMS and costs twice the normal SMS rate.
The mobile operator Hong Kong CSL was the first to use USSD for its data services, including its job finder. "Now it gets seven out of 10 information requests this way and only three out of 10 via Wap," says Simon Holmes, global product marketing manager for messaging at SMS software supplier Logica.
"A couple of years ago," he adds, "we were talking to operators about USSD and they weren't really interested because they thought Wap was the way to go. Now they are reconsidering as they look for services to fill the gap before third-generation mobile."
Orange France launched a USSD service three weeks ago and Sarah Taylor of Orange in the UK says: "It has been so successful we are considering offering it here." There are also signalling-based services in Turkey and Austria. The signalling channel can be used for other things, too. Forgetful Vodafone users can dial *#100# and press the call button to be reminded of their mobile number.
That's not much use if they can't find the handset, but there's also a technology that can help people who are lost themselves. This is cell broadcast - mainly used to broadcast information to everyone within a mobile cell (consisting of one or more base stations).
In the UK, Vodafone customers can select Settings, then Phone settings, then Cell info display (using a Nokia 8310, 6210 or similar) and it will tell them what phone code area they are in. "Right now it's telling me I'm in the 01635 areas," says Julien Cozens, who is based at Vodafone in Newbury.
Meanwhile, in Lebanon, mobile operator LibanCell's users can ask Where am I? and be told their location. The LibanCell Cell&Sell service is used to beam free information about local hospitals, shops, restaurants, hotels, theatres and cinemas.
LibanCell customers simply opt for the topics they are interested in or none at all, as cell broadcast is an opt-in service. Cell broadcast was also used by Orange at the 3GSM World Congress show in Cannes to keep visitors up to date on events. Unlike some other location-based services, you don't need a new handset to try it.
Nor does it infringe on privacy because the content provider is simply broadcasting data to any mobile in a given area. It does not know which numbers it is reaching.
Cell broadcast may not be flash, but it helps pull in extra cash - through content fees and follow-up calls.
