Google SMS

Just saw from Google's blog that they're now offering Google SMS as a new service.

I'm not really sure how useful the area code and residential look-up services would be to non-US residents, but the DEFINE and PRICE information services are definitely of interest to me.

I wonder how they can make money from this. I know in the Philippines, people would set it up so that the content provider (in this case, Google) and the telco would make money from making this available. I wonder how long will it take before someone in the Philippines offers the equivalent service?