mBlox preferred supplier for eBay's SMS re-bidding service across Europe
mBlox, the mobile transaction network, has announced that it is working together with application service provider Dynetic to deliver a new SMS re-bidding service to eBay in the UK, France and Belgium.
The service - identical to that launched across Spain by the two companies in September 2006 - will enable users to monitor and participate in the online bidding process, even when they are no longer in front of their PC. It is powered by mBlox inbound and outbound premium SMS services.
eBay is the world's largest online marketplace, with a global customer base of 266 million users. eBay provides a global trading platform where practically anyone can trade practically anything at anytime. SMS re-bidding is a natural extension of eBay's online auction format capability and mobile access is a key factor particularly as a high proportion of eBay bidders are away from their computers during the final stages of an auction format listing.
eBay's SMS re-bidding service enables users to track bids through "outbid" alerts and to react quickly from their mobile should they need to increase a bid. The UK service, which costs 12 UK pence plus VAT per message, will be offered to users as an option when a bid is placed online.
Ian Jordan, Head of Product Development, Operations and Innovation, eBay UK describes the advent of mobile bidding as a fundamental transformation of the Internet auction experience.
"Traditionally web auctions are a desk-based activity and many auction biddings end prematurely because people leave their PCs. The possibility to participate beyond the PC from a mobile phone will have massive implications for the dynamics and value of the auction process," said Jordan. "It will mean more potential buyers will participate for longer producing better deals for everyone."
Jeff Clark, CEO of mBlox, said: "The solution for eBay proved compelling for two clear reasons. First, it is purely text message-based requiring no downloads or up-front payments and perhaps more importantly it can be used on any phone. Anyone logging into their usual eBay account will receive an option to continue monitoring or participating in auction format listings via their standard mobile phone. Secondly, it introduces the concept of ubiquitous connectivity to eBay via a mobile phone. Users will no longer be confined to the - essentially sedentary - PC but free to participate in auctions when and where they please."
Michael Neidhoefer, CEO of Dynetic, said: "We worked closely with eBay to develop a mobile re-bidding application that would be intuitive and entirely consistent with the traditional eBay experience. mBlox's total focus on the mobile transaction network, carrier-grade network infrastructure and mobile knowledge made them the ideal partner to make this a reality."
Initially launched in Spain, now available in the UK, France and Belgium, the mBlox and Dynetic solution is completely scalable so that the re-bidding service can be easily replicated in additional markets across Europe.
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