Mobile-phone service operator Peoples has launched a advertising service in co-operation with US-based advertising company Spotcast Communications.
The service, 'mSpot', allows companies to target voice advertisements to mobile-phone users based on their lifestyle and location when the calls are made.
Peoples mobile-service users can receive free airtime by listening to 10-second advertisements before making a call.
The service can only be used with PCS (personal communications system) and dual-band phones.
Peoples has only about 7 per cent of the local mobile-service market, but Spotcast chief operating officer Craig Owensby said Peoples was favoured as a partner over other larger operators because of its aggressive business approach.
Spotcast aimed to capture 100,000 users a year after launch, he said.
Peoples chief operating officer Domingo Chen said he expected the new service would bring in net profit contribution of more than $1 million by the end of the year.
