The Wall Street Journal's Mobile Reader application soon will require a separate mobile subscription for full access to Journal content.

The new subscription requirement goes into effect on Oct. 24. The application itself will remain free to download. Currently WSJ Mobile Reader is available on BlackBerry smartphones and Apple iPhone and iPod touch devices.

"There is much value in being constantly and fully briefed, and our WSJ
Mobile Reader offers that important service," Robert Thomson, editor-in-chief of Dow Jones & Company and Journal managing editor.

WSJ Mobile Reader users next week will begin receiving messages informing them that a separate mobile subscription soon will be required for full access to subscription content. As a special promotion, current WSJ Mobile Reader users and people who register before Oct. 24 will be granted a 90-day extension before the a mobile sub is required.

In conjunction with the launch of the WSJ Mobile Reader subscription offering, the WSJ.com mobile-optimized Web site also will require a WSJ.com subscription for full access to walled content.

Users may subscribe directly from their mobile device. A mobile-only subscription will cost $2 per week, while a mobile subscription combined with either a print Journal or WSJ.com subscription will be $1 per week. Subscribers of both the print and online editions of the Journal will receive free access to all subscription content on the WSJ Mobile Reader.

Dow Jones also announced that several new features will be added to the WSJ Mobile Reader, including advanced save and share functions, enhanced market data, stock tracking and personalization capabilities.

(Also see WSJ Digital Network to Launch Live Daily Online Newscast)