Microsoft is planning to offer Hotmail to mobile phone users in Asia. Services are expected to be up and running in Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan within two months.
Users will be able to send and receive emails via SMS.
The services will hinge on partnerships with local operators.
Companies already on board include Singapore Telecommunications, CSL in Hong Kong and Chunghwa Telecom in Taiwan.
Other collaborations are expected in the near future.
MSN Hotmail has more than 110 million internet users worldwide, including 15 million in Asia.
MSN has not disclosed financial details of any of its partnerships. But it concedes that the service could represent a step towards charging for Hotmail.
