SE and Ericsson are working together to create mobile internet products to create on-line stock brokerage business solutions over Ericssons forthcoming range of WAP phones.

The development will target functions that enable clients to buy and sell stocks and derivatives via HQ.SE stock quotes price alerts and access to analyses and financial news.

HQ.SE is a natural strategic partner because its a strong player in the finance sector said Thomas Thard senior business advisor at Ericsson Business Consulting.

The GPRS data network is being developed alongside BTCellnets existing digital GSM network. It uses the existing radio base stations linked to a new network based on packet technology. Pricing structures could charge usage on a subscription basis or on the volume of data sent and received.

Coverage will be exactly the same as for BTCellnets GSM coverage. GPRS is an international standard operated as part of GSM and therefore it will be possible to use GPRS when roaming on other networks.

The GPRS network is only activated when data is being transmitted. The user retains a virtual connection to the computer network throughout the day.

The user dials the number required and the network connects the call allocating a circuit between the two parties until the call is ended. With packet technology the user will log into a data network or an internet service provider and then send and receive data as and when required throughout the day without having to redial.

The GPRS network means the user can be always bconnected and always on-line to a data network.

There is no need to repeatedly dial in and log on to check e-mails. GPRS handsets and data cards will operate at speeds five to ten times faster than on current GSM networks. Faster devices are being developed for the future.

A first trial group of 100 customers are now able to use a Nokia 7110 to transfer money between accounts pay bills check balances of savings bank and mortgage accounts value ISA portfolios and examine their 10 last transactions.

This goes well beyond text message banking services currently on offer said Woolwich chief executive John Stewart.

In future our customers will be able to manage their personal finances wherever they are in the world. This is really anytime anywhere anyhow banking.

Vodafone UK chief executive Peter Bamford added:

This is the first example of mobile banking over WAP in the UK.

At the time of going to press the network declined to pre-release details of its strategy. But it involves plans to develop and market the high-speed GPRS system and bring out a raft of new data product services.

The WAP service is likely to be linked to the BTCellnet Genie web site to allow owners of the Nokia 7110 and a new Motorola WAP phone to browse the Genie site downloading text-based information and services. Once the GPRS system is implemented it will mean mobile users can browse the internet at speeds currently only available to users of PC-based ISDN lines.

Winners were selected through a comprehensive evaluation conducted by the San Francisco-based Great Places to Work Institute.

Two-thirds of the scoring for each company was based on direct employee input gathered via random sample surveys.

The balance of each companys score came from the Institutes assessment of its human resources programs and practices.

Nokia employs more than 7500 in manufacturing sales research and development and support functions in Texas California Massachusetts and Florida.

An additional eight stores will roll out across the country over the next three months.

Dealers have been selected from the original co-branded store programme based on sales performance and their existing relationship with Ericsson.

The 10 stores will test a variety of in-store fixtures to gauge their effect on trade and footfall. The pilot phase runs for the next three months. A national roll-out could follow towards the end of the year.

The Global Store pilot scheme involves an area of the store designed as a tranquil bespoke environment carrying Ericsson phones accessories and data products.

The area has been designed to direct consumers through the purchasing process with easy access to handsets comparable information and special promotions.

Ericsson says it believes the new merchandising system will increase sales by improving the overall customer store experience and focusing consumer attention in a self-contained product area.

Ericsson has set a new benchmark in customer service in in-store experience with the Global Store programme said Ericsson channel marketing manager Vijay Anand.

The CallFree radios will retail at 99.99 for two handsets including rechargeable batteries. They have a range of up to two miles.

It is an up-to-date modern communication system with two handsets operating on a dedicated frequency. There are no call charges said Ross business development manager Steven May.

Ross is donated 1 for every CallFree set sold to the national helpline for children in trouble or danger ChildLine.

This brings to 16 the number of Vodafone Retail outlets in Scotland.

Their opening follows Vodafones take-over of Scottish Telecommunications and the creation of a new company Vodafone (Scotland).

Vodafone says it now has one or more stores in all the main towns in Scotland.

To celebrate the store openings the first 20 customers were given 15 a music voucher.

Pay As You Go customers get 10 per cent extra airtime for any call time credited up to January 31.

In another development One 2 One is to spend 100 million building a network in Northern Ireland to be in place by the middle of the year.

The network has signed an agreement with infrastructure builder Crown Castle to handle cell planning acquisition design build operation and maintenance for the whole network.

The agreement is for 11 years.

Crown Castle already operates 100 sites in Northern Ireland which will provide the backbone for the new network and reduce the need for building new sites

This ground-breaking agreement is another example of our innovative approach to network rollout. By using Crown Castles expertise we will have a high quality network in place within a year said One 2 Ones managing director Tim Samples.

Other co-sponsors are The Times. and Citibank Private Bank.

The awards have been in the USA and several European countries for many years and came to the UK for the first time last year when it was won by Mark Dixon founder of the Regus business centre empire which was set up 10 years ago.

They are open to owner-managers whose business have been established for at least two years.

The entrepreneurial spirit shown in these awards clearly matches Vodafones can-do attitude. There is a good cultural fit between the Awards and Vodafone and we look forward to finding the best entrepreneurs in the UK said Vodafones commercial and marketing director Paul Donovan.