Ericsson Communications Facilitates WAP Developmnt

Ericsson Communications Facilitates WAP Development Cluster in Wellington

Ericsson Communications Ltd announced today the formation of a co-operative cluster of Wellington-based companies for the development of new mobile internet applications and content.

The new initiative will bring Internet services based on the Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) to pocket mobile devices. WAP Applications are specially adapted to bring interactive services to mobile devices with small screens, for example, mobile phones.

Manager of Ericsson’s Business Consultancy group in New Zealand Jill Van Nortwick explained that “The mobile Internet is about to enter our daily lives in a big way. It will change the way we keep in touch with our friends and family, the way we do business, the way we shop, the way we access entertainment, and the way we conduct our personal finances.”

Today’s first meeting of the group was attended over 70 Wellington based companies with an interest in content, applications development, service provision, and technology. The cluster has been created in co-operation with the Capital Development Agency of the Wellington City Council.

Representing the Capital Development Agency Clare Nolan, Manager, welcomed the initiative. “This is a great opportunity to bring together Wellington businesses with the skills to develop content and applications for this new technology. Wellington is well positioned to provide a test bed for technologies such as WAP and to capitalise on the opportunities they offer”.

The WAP cluster follows Ericsson’s launch in December of a special website dedicated to supporting enterprise and operator customers with mobile internet services and applications (www.E-Zebra.net).

Ms Van Nortwick says the cluster will provide opportunities for smaller application developers and content providers to leverage Ericsson's technical strengths and global market presence.

A significant participant in the cluster will be Victoria University School of Communications and Information Management, where Ericsson fund the Ericsson Chair of Communications.

The Capital Development Agency (CDA) Business Cluster programme facilitates the growth of successful world class industry business clusters through collaboration to identify export growth opportunities. This programme targets four specific sectors - Creative Content, Software, Film and Television, and Earthquake Engineering Technology.

Ericsson is the leading provider in the new telecoms world, with communications solutions that combine telecom and datacom technologies with freedom of mobility for the user. With more than 100,000 employees in 140 countries, Ericsson simplifies communications for its customers – network operators, service providers, enterprises and consumers – the world over.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT

Stephen Inglis
Marketing Manager
Ericsson Communications Limited
Ph: (021)-948-064
Email: steve.inglis@ericsson.co.nz
Trina Saffioti
Communications Advisor
Wellington City Council
Ph: (04)-801-3581
Email: trina.saffioti@wcc.govt.nz

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