A WAP Gateway must support any model of mobile phone from any manufacturer. The phone.com browser on certain mobile phones such as the Motorola Timeport does not allow a URL address to be entered. Instead the phone is automatically connected to the network providers Gateway to connect the user to the network providers portal. The home page of this portal lists a number of suggested sites predetermined by the network provider. Specific URLs cannot be entered.

WapHQ says it has solved this by linking its Gateway to its own open access portal. Its portal provides links to selected content but also allows the user to enter a URL to any world-wide website. To connect the user changes the settings so that the phone links to wapHQ when switched on.

These settings are described on its website www.wapHQ.co.uk.

The wapHQ Gateway is independent of the mobile network operators and handles over 15000 simultaneous callers. It is said to support all available WAP mobile phones including the Nokia 7110 Motorola Timeport P7389 and Trium Geo. Users can access any WAP site world-wide with no limitations by using an 0845 local call rate number via Orange BTCellnet and Vodafone networks.

The site says it has received an average of 6300 hits per day since the Euro 2000 England/Portugal match.

The site not only gives sports results for most major fixtures in the UK covering football cricket rugby golf motorsports snooker and others but it also acts as a sports diary flagging up forthcoming sports fixtures.

WAPaResult.com is linked to over 40 WAP or web-related sites world-wide and is on most of the major portals in the UK. It claims it is the only sports results service on the Vodafone WAP portal.

The site has also received other major accolades including being voted the top sports result service and the number three overall site (after the bible and the BBC) by WAP developers.

The current trend within the internet arena is to offer a multitude of services to customers from one site.

This can only lead to confusion and drive the consumer away from what is potentially the largest single technological advance in centuries empowering the consumer said MD Martin Hunt.

Called MobileMate the system analyses usage habits and travel patterns learns where the user lives works and shops for the purpose of delivering timely tailored information based on the users profile specific preferences current location and relevant events. It interfaces with the operators cellular infrastructure and internet application/content providers

M-commerce is likely to be the primary revenue generating application of the mobile internet said CT Motion CEO Raphi Katz.

Location based m-commerce solutions offers a huge business opportunity for cellular operators. The only way to reduce customer churn and stay ahead of the competition is by providing truly personalised services that adapt to the needs of the individual user.

The company will soon launch a mobile location and information service applications including personalised advertising and sales promotion virtual payment systems mobile yellow pages and travel related services safety and security services; and content and lifestyle information applications.

These services can be either accessed by mobile users or sent to the handset by the service provider according to predefined application criteria and user profiles.

The mobile handset is a trusted personal companion for delivering highly personalized services. Our application transforms the mobile handset into a true personal assistant that learns the users and knows their specific needs and preferences adds Katz.

Richard Branson wants to take Virgin Mobile to 30 carriers around the world following its launch in Britain last November.

Under the agreement Virgin Mobile Australia will invest more than $5 million over five years with Telemedia Networks International supplying pre and post-paid mobile switching infrastructure.

Telemedia CEO Chris Jones said a successful partnership with Virgin Mobile in Australia could be the first step to a global supplier link between his company and Bransons.

The launch of the first WAP recruitment site for permanent and contract telecoms positions has been launched by telecoms recruitment consultancy Close Communications whose clients include Orange Vodafone TIW and BT.

The site gives details of positions available and allows users to apply on-line. Candidates simply fill in their name telephone number and the job reference number and are promised a call from Close Communications within two hours.

The WAP site is aimed at finding and placing the right people for their clients in the shortest possible time as potential recruits will be able to monitor opportunities even while on the move.|

TIW CEO Wim Verbeek said:

The global telecom market shows no sign of slowing down and the pressures faced by operators to find the right people for the job are very real. The issuing of UMTS licenses and other technology launches will put even more pressure on an already immensely strained workforce.

Project success is now as dep-endent on recruiting people with the appropriate skill base as it is on the technology but finding the amount of quality people needed to complete key projects is increasingly difficult.

Added Close Communications director Steve Rose:

Telecom professionals are a not-oriously mobile group. WAP provides us with a flexible and interactive link that has long been needed in telecom recruitment. The WAP site will enable us to further improve our offer in quickly finding the right people.

The deal allows Interactives users to obtain a Nokia 7110 for free on a special tariff through Vodafone or BTCellnet.

Interactives WAP service currently provides investors with 15-minute delayed stock exchange prices graphsand news.

For CMC this means that the partnership will offer a direct route to the consumer who will be able to order their WAP phone for free to enjoy instant information benefits said CMC boss Geoff Walters.

Added CMC sales director Paul Walters:

We are specialists in supplying telecoms products to retailers and now we want to position ourselves as specialists to website retailers.

With our close relationships with the four networks we are able to offer bespoke tariffs and launch similar programmes with other companies as WAP technology continues to expand.

We were very impressed by the effort that TBWA put in to understanding our brand values before coming up with any creative work said Carphone Warehouse chief executive Charles Dunstone.

The new TBWA commercials for The Carphone Warehouse started airing last week and coincides with the run-up to its flotation.

The lab has worldwide responsibility for ensuring compatibility between Nokias 3G network equipment and other operators network equipment and terminals.

3G interoperability tests will be carried out for the core network and IP backbone network as well as for 3G radio access 3G compatible base stations and terminals.

The activity will give operators access to Nokia technology before it is fully commercially available.

Motorola has been licensed to integrated the application into its Mobile Internet Exchange communications platform. Ultimately people will be able to listen and respond to e-mail messages using a voice browser

Access to email is one of the most desired features identified by subscriber surveys. Collaborating with VoxSurf allows Motorola to bring a world class offering to its customers said Tony Kobrinetz general manager of Motorola Personal Networks Group.