丹麦用短信服务取代邮票

Sending a letter the old-fashioned way will become distinctly more high-tech for people in Denmark from next month.

The Danish post office is launching a new service that allows mail to be posted without the need of a stamp.

Customers can text the post office requesting a code number which they simply write on the envelope in place of a stamp before dropping it into a post box.

An invoice for the code will then appear on the sender's regular mobile phone bill.

According to the BBC, a code number will cost 92p - the standard rate for a letter - plus the cost of the text message.

Codes must be used within seven days and are only valid for postage within Denmark on letters weighing up to 50g.

"Mobile Postage is a useful supplement for those in need of a stamp regardless of place and time,"a spokesman for Post Danmark said, adding that there are no plans to phase out stamps completely.

"We will, of course, still keep the Danish stamp tradition alive as the stamp adds qualities to a letter."

Sweden is planning trials of a similar system for letters and parcels up to 2kg in weight.