Abstract: A user sends a SMS text message with a question; this message is then received at a central computer and sent out to one or more human researchers to compose an answer. An answer is sent back as a text message to the mobile telephone. The question is not restricted to any category of question types and the question is sent using a premium rate text service. Because a premium rate text service is used, this hugely simplifies the practical task of actually deploying a working system since it greatly reduces the complexity of the technical infrastructure that is required. In particular, the customer databases and billing systems can be dispensed with.