MUMBAI: Mobile service provider Orange and BBC World Service have announced the launch of a new 'BBC news on SMS' service.

The service has been launched in Mumbai. Orange's BBC News on SMS service offers breaking news, business news and sports news from all parts of the world. The service is available to Orange users round the clock, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Orange users need to type 'BBC' and send it as an SMS to 12323 to get the latest BBC news from across the world.

Commenting on the launch of BBC news service on SMS VP Corporate Marketing, Orange Sanjeev Vohra said: " This truly marks a convergence of radio, television and cellular service. BBC is the international benchmark for quality news reportage. This service is borne out of our commitment to provide quality content that is truly the best in the world. We are happy to be partnering the BBC for this service that combines rich news content with the convenience of SMS. Orange users can now read the latest BBC international news right at the moment it is being aired across the world, on their cellular handsets. "

Commenting on BBC's alliance with Orange Head of Business Development BBC World Service Miles Palmer said: "It combines the best of the BBC's comprehensive and impartial information services with Orange's excellent mobile network. India is an important market for the BBC. We have a long established presence in India and are widely respected. India is an information hungry country and mobile phones offer an additional opportunity to feed people's appetites."