Web Directory on the Way for WAP

Ericsson Australia has teamed with Web search directory LookSmart to explore providing mobile Internet access to the Australian market.

The agreement will see the companies collaborate to produce a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) category based directory. This strategy is aimed at bringing LookSmart’s directory of more than one million Web sites to the WAP environment.

LookSmart has recently redesigned its directory to improve navigation, dividing its directory into more than 60,000 categories.

Ericsson will provide technical support for the mobile IP networks, mobile positioning systems, WAP devices and mobile e-commerce solutions that will be used for access.
The financial value of the deal was not disclosed.

Ericsson is the leading industry advocate in Australia of the WAP standard, a defacto global standard for providing Internet access and telephony services via digital mobile phones, pagers, personal digital assistants and other devices.

WAP uses Internet standards such as XML and IP, and has been optimised for the constraints of the wireless environment to quickly deliver information to mobile device users.