This latest advertisement in the Net Man series focuses on the many benefits that the mobile internet can offer customers in their everyday lives said BTCellnet marketing director Peter Richardson.

By focusing on these benefits we hope to encourage even more people to try this service for themselves.

The new advertisement will include TV and poster treatments and will run over an initial three month period.

The companies signed an agreement to co-develop and co-brand the mobile smart phones which is expected to combine Motorolas technologies with Palms web-clipping technology for data-based access to content and services.

The device will contain a larger colour screen than standard mobile phones and will include Palms HotSync software and over-the-air synchronisation using Motorolas Starfish TrueSync software.

It will be the first in a series of smart phone products that Motorola and Palm will explore.

Motorola took a minority equity stake in Palm last December. The new device will be initially distributed through Motorolas existing sales channels.

Motorola plans to provide primary support for the product including initial customer calls and warranty.

Palm intend to supply software and operating system support.

The new centre will employ several hundred people by March 2001 and expects to ship tens of thousands of phones per day all over Europe.

The Netherlands is a logical choice for a company to establish its European distribution. The country is known for its strengths in distribution forwarding and language skills expertise you need when you are operating in an international environment said Leo Burghouwt Sendos vice president of world-wide distribution.

Sendo says it is unique amongst mobile phone manufacturers because it customises its phones to individual network operators specifications with bespoke features unique plastics and different accessory combinations.

Tiemex Assembly which started 11 years ago as a transportation and forwarding company will manage the distribution and configuration center. It already works for companies like Hitachi Heinz Hallmark and Kinzo.

Sendo manufactures its present phones in China. European manufacturing is planned to start in 2001. Some 130 engineers are designing and developing Sendos products in Birmingham. It is expected that this number will grow to around. 200 employees at year end. Sendo will initially focus on GSM based products for Europe and Asia with future expansion into the USA.

Hugh Brogan Sendos chief executive officer said:

We are focussed on the individual needs of the network operators and we offer a complete custom program from exclusively branded phones to matched fulfilment programs and bespoke software with dedicated services.

Called the Soundmate the 79.99 Orange device is a small wireless handsfree earpiece that can be used with any hearing aid.

It attaches to a belt and plugs into a handsfree socket on the phone. A small microphone can be pinned to a lapel or hung around the neck.

The microphone transmits the sound to the hearing air without any of the usual digital interference.

The device is being sold by Orange retail outlets.

Soundmate opens up new possibilities most hearing people take for granted said Michael Page of the Royal National Institute for Deaf People.

The award was won for commitment contract connections and quality of service.

The handsets will link to a newly-designed mobile internet portal which will provide the gateway to Barclays online banking share-dealing through Barclays Stockbrokers and Barclaycard account services as well as access to services such as news entertainment sport and travel.

Customers will also be offered preferential pre-pay and post-pay service packages through Vodafone. Vodafone and Barclays will work together to enhance these services through new mobile developments such as high-speed connections.

Barclays says banking via a mobile phone is a vital addition to existing integrated channels through which Barclays customers can choose to do their banking.

Ian Richardson e-director retail financial services Barclays commented:

People will take advantage of being able to access their banking using their mobile phone. Vodafone and Barclays will be well placed to compete in this growing market.

Peter Bamford chief executive of Vodafone UK commented:

This forms an important part of Vodafones strategy of enabling our customers to take advantage of new services from their mobile phones.

Banking on the move is a particularly important service and we are delighted to be working with Barclays.

Hore was made redundant from Panasonic last December after more than 12 years at the company.

He will assume full responsibility for all of PCCs marketing activities.

Hore worked in Panasonics video systems division for seven years later moving to the mobile side. He was involved in Panasonics early decision to axe analogue production to concentrate solely on GSM

Philips Consumer Communications is already a market leader in the UK enjoying the number one position in consumer fax machines the number two position in Dect phones and a top three position in cellular. PCCs focus on improved user interface technologies-such as voice recognition – will offer a strong base for the arrival of the next generation of mobile devices; and will help to consolidate our podium positions he said.

Managing Director of PCC George McPherson said:

Max possesses outstanding expertise in marketing sales and technical support.

The new group will work towards standards compatibility and ease of use. Other members include Dell France Telecom and Toshiba.

The virtual network operator has appointed a new general retail development manager Rob Shardlow with the job of finding new non- specialist routes to the end-user.

Shardlow has a retail background in sales channel management distribution planning and strategy.

He has previously worked for Kodak and One 2 One and was involved in the Up 2 You pre-pay launch as well as One 2 Ones specialist retail channel.

Robs experience will prove valuable in broadening our current customer base through the provision of new third party distribution channels said Virgin Mobile sales director Graeme Hutchinson.

Virgin Mobile says it now has 750000 customers.

The company has already taken the Virgin Mobile brand overseas with Virgin Mobile (Australia) a partnership with Cable and Wireless Optus and Virgin Mobile (Asia) with Singapore Telecom.

The majority of players are subscribers to Omnitel Digital Bridges first live operator customer and Italys second largest mobile phone network with more than 12 million subscribers.

The 100000 barrier was made in just six weeks equating to one new game being played on the site every two minutes.

The 100000 games have been played via WAP phones connecting to wirelessgames.com the gaming content channel of Digital Bridges which is delivered on the Digital Bridges UNITY content delivery platform.

The announcement is a huge boost for the WAP market in general as it proves that the technology is stable and that consumers are using and enjoying it said Kevin Bradshaw CEO of Digital Bridges.

Subscribers can access 18 games ranging from quiz games puzzles card games and two player board games.

There are also a couple of more complex games such as a two-player boxing game and a two-player tank game. All of the games have been designed specifically for WAP users lasting around five minutes to provide a short contained and enjoyable experience.