Location-based SMS text ads in China

Location-based SMS text ads have become quite pervasive in China. Verging on spam. Well, no they are spam. However, sometimes quasi-useful. For example, during a recent trip to the Great Wall of China, I was pleasantly surprised to receive a text ad offering me a discount at a nearby hotel.

One also receives updates from China Mobile in terms of welcoming you to a new city (say Shanghai) with weather reports, etc.