Microsoft India announced that Hotmail users can get alerts on SMS without GPRS connection and for free, starting today.

Hotmail users need to log on to www.mobile.live.com, feed their mobile number and enter verification code received on mobile to get started, the company said in a statement

"With this fun and simple service, you can forget about going to the cyber cafe or logging on to your computer every time you want to check your mails", it said. This service makes checking mails as easy as checking SMSs.

"You can now receive, read and reply to emails on your SMS. The service also enables efficient viewing of emails by specifying the email address/domain from which you?d like to receive alerts on your SMS", the company said.

Out of the 506 million mobile users in India, only 18 million have GPRS on their mobile phones. With email access available only to a mere four per cent of the total mobile user base, ?Hotmail alert on your SMS? "breaks all technological barriers" and helps one stay connected anytime, anywhere. All one needs is a Hotmail/Live ID and a mobile phone, it was stated.