Mobile phone users will soon be able to view video clips of football, news, comedy and adult content without upgrading to a third-generation handset.

Flix, a new mobile content company, plans to launch a mobile video portal this month that will work on existing networks and use technology developed by Finnish company Oplayo.

News clips will be provided by Reuters and GMTV, and adult content by Soho Original. Flix managing director Nic Gorey said the service would also offer fashion, music and "Jackass-style" comedy clips.

Anyone with a mobile phone with a colour screen will be able to download the video player, regardless of the network they use.

The technology will work on most handsets bought in the past 12 months and Oplayo estimates 50m compatible phones will be in circulation by the end of the year.

Customers send a text message to Flix, which will automatically download the video player and a regularly updated library of content. They are charged for each clip watched.

Oplayo's UK chief, Philip Bourchier O'Ferrall, said Flix was the first service of its kind not to be tied to an individual network provider.

"The beauty is consumers no longer need to fork out for a 3G phone to view mobile video entertainment."

Mr Gorey said the company was hoping to sign deals with mobile phone retailers so they could introduce customers to the service whenhandsets are upgraded.

Oplayo has also developed a pin code system to stop under-18s downloading adult content on to their phones.

Mobile operators, which between them spent £22bn on 3G licences, have suffered delays in getting the new generation network, which promises high speed video and sound, into service.

The only one in operation is Hutchison-owned 3, which only recently notched up 100,000 sales despite a widespread advertising campaign and a series of price cuts.

Guardian Unlimited © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2003

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