“Mobile postage is a useful supplement for those in need of a stamp regardless of place and time”

Two European countries are now offering an alternative to the ubiquitous postage stamp: sending the post office a text message.

Sweden and Denmark are set to roll out a new postal service whereby customers can pay for postage using text-messaging services on their cellphones.

Customers can simply send a text message to the post office and in a few seconds an automated reply will arrive with a special code. Write the code on the envelope where a stamp would normally go and you’re done.

The cost of the stamp will appear on the customer’s cellphone bill at the end of the month.

“Mobile postage is a useful supplement for those in need of a stamp regardless of place and time,” a Post Denmark spokesman said. “We will, of course, still keep the Danish stamp tradition alive as the stamp adds qualities to a letter.”

The service will be available for letters and small parcels.

Via Canoe