Vodafone has joined hands with Microsoft India to provide its users SMS search service through which the users can make use of mobile search services by sending the query to 55060 via SMS text message at a rate of 30 paisa per query. The service does not requires GPRS connectivity.

This SMS search service, powered by Microsoft’s live search is being developed at Microsoft India Development Center (MSIDC).

Speaking on the occasion Vodafone Essar, Marketing and New Business Director, Harit Nagpal said “This will be the first of its kind service for Vodafone customers. After providing our GPRS users the ease and convenience of Windows Live Search, SMS Search was the natural next step forward.”

Gurpreet S. Pall, Director of Live Search and Emerging Markets at MSIDC said “We have incorporated some unique features in SMS search service like local results based on the user’s city location, keeping track of user’s search session for 24 hours and delivering results formatted to match the user’s phone capabilities.”

The service will provide Vodafone mobile users with directory information, acess to Mobile (WAP)sites, World Wide Web, ringtones, images, articles etc.  Currently the service is available in 8 cities mainly Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune and Ahmedabad with 21 more cities expected to join the list soon.