eBay UK users will soon be able to bid for items up for auction on the eBay.co.uk website via their mobile phones. The new solution is being delivered by Wireless Commerce Ltd (WCL), a provider of mobile commerce solutions, and will offer eBay UK's users the opportunity to participate in up to four million auctions through interactive SMS (Short Message Service) whilst on-the-move.

Removing the need to have access to a PC or laptop, eBay UK customers will be able to track how individual bids are progressing, receive SMS alerts to new items and get reminder alerts on auctions that are about to close. After receipt of an SMS message, users will then have the option to interactively respond to the information through their mobile device, choosing either to outbid another buyer or to bid on a new item.

WCL's Wireless Gateway will deliver a seamless communication and interface between the eBay UK's website and its users' GSM or WAP mobile phones. All liaisons between the mobile phone operators and Short Message Service Centres (SMSCs) will be handled by WCL's team of consultants on behalf of eBay.

Paul Witten, eBay UK's Business Development Director said: "We are always looking at new ways in which we can improve the service we offer to our users, and are very excited about this new initiative. WCL has demonstrated a real understanding of both our business and technical requirements, and we are confident that this new wireless offering will greatly enhance the online trading experiences of our customers."

Mike Franklin, WCL's UK managing director said: "We are very pleased to be working with industry leaders such as eBay, and believe that this latest partnership is testament to the quality of our R&D team and consultants. By managing the whole process from beginning to end, we are able to overcome any technological challenges and create solutions for our clients that truly add value to their current services and thereby help them to achieve even greater consumer loyalty."

To celebrate the launch of eBay UK, eBay is offering all new registered users in the UK free listings from today until midnight GMT 30 June 1999. This promotion applies only to UK resident customers registered to eBay who list items via the eBay UK home page. More UK specific promotions will be offered on a regular basis.

About eBay

eBay is the world's largest on-line trading community. Founded in 1995, eBay created a powerful marketplace for the sale of goods and services by a passionate community of individuals and small businesses.

On any given day, there are millions of items for sale on the site across thousands of diverse categories, including antiques, toys, boys, computers, sports, photography and electronics, amongst many others. eBay enables trade on a local, national and international basis with local sites in 53 markets in the US and country specific sites in the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Japan and Australia.

Founded in the UK in October 1999, eBay.co.uk is now the UK's largest person-to-person trading community.

www.eBay.co.uk