A service that ensures you get the message

EUROPE IS leading the global IT revolution and in Spain the internet could even make you a healthier person. Mobile messaging firm Myalert has introduced text messages that offer encouragement to Spanish smokers who are finding it hard to kick the habit. By sending messages such as 'Have a cold shower!' and 'Come on! You can do it!', Myalert hopes to marry new technology with good old-fashioned advice. The company has declared war on the cigarette industry, vowing to help Spaniards - among Europe's biggest tobacco addicts - to stop smoking. Since the start of the year, any Spanish smoker with a mobile has been able to receive the handy tips on their phone, free of charge. Other health messages include one to 'Lay off the drink!'

Myalert founder and president Jorge Mata says: "With this type of service, our aim is to prove that new technology is revolu-tionising our way of life. In this case, we'll be very proud if we can get at least a small percentage of our users to give up tobacco." Based in Madrid, Myalert is the world's first free, wireless portal to connect mobile phones to the inter-net. Users can register by simply providing a name and password. They will be able to receive time-critical information at any time, wherever they are, and conduct mobile com-merce (m-commerce) transactions through their handsets.

Users can choose what information they want, whether it is stock quotes, news, sports, travel, special offers or email notifications. Established in May 1999, Myalert has offices in London, Stuttgart, Milan, Paris and Miami. Two of Spain's biggest banks - Banco Santander Central Hispano and Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria - are among its shareholders. German software firm Brokat Infosystems purchased a $12 million share in Myalert last year, with plans to use its technology to develop mobile services and applications based on its Twister platform. British venture capital firm 3i is also a stakeholder.

California's Broadbase Software supplies Myalert with advanced applications which enable precision market targeting, with relevant and personalised offers through the 500,000 alerts it sends customers every day. Mr Mata says Broadbase applications enable intelligent inter-action between multiple channels. "Within this first phase we are able to provide a comprehensive range of reports, enabling our marketing department to under-stand better what our customers want, as well as giving senior managers a greater understanding of what subscribers are actually doing on the website - this is essential if we are to maintain our leading position in the explosive mobile market."

Myalert, which raised $50 million last year in its second round of financing, sends messages to more than a million registered users throughout Europe. The company has plans to expand, and Mr Mata adds: "We'll probably be looking at the typical thing of a dual-listing - Madrid and another technology market - and floating between 15 and 20 per cent." The company has grown very quickly with almost no advertising. Although revenues of $15 million to £17 million are forecast for this year, and more than $105 million in 2003, Mr Mata does not expect Myalert to make a profit until the first quarter of 2002. The company proposes to expand into Latin America and the US later this year, following the launch of a Hispanic portal.