Hongkong's WAPHead & IBM to launch mobile chat service
Hongkong, Feb 22, (PRNI HK-AsiaNet) - Leading WAP technology enabler WAPHead! has signed a collaboration agreement with IBM, the world's largest information technology provider, to provide WAPicq service - a chat service allowing people to collaborate in real-time with their WAP phones.
Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) is an open, global specifications that empowers mobile users with wireless devices to easily access and interact with information and services instantly. Based on IBM's latest DB2, WebSphere and clustering technology, WAPHead! aims to provide non-stop instant messaging solution to the existing 400 million mobile users and 50 million ICQ users respectively.
The service will be available to all mobile operators around the world. The mobile operator is only required to register and include the URL www.wapicq.com into their existing portal free-of-charge. "The network traffic and system performance are closely monitored by our technical staff and the overall performance can be easily upgraded since the system is constructed in advanced clustering technology," according to the WAPHead!'s CEO, Mr. Francis Au.
The initial configuration consists of 16 high-speed CPUs as well as a 72-GB disk subsystem with redundancy and mirroring capability. Preliminary system throughput can allow at least 1,000 concurrent users around the world to chat in real-time. He also believes the unique features of the service such as real-time, many-to-many, high mobility as well as compatible to existing desktop ICQ will definitely give WAPicq a success.
"IBM believes pervasive computing, which means accessing to the Internet anytime, anywhere, with any devices, will be the next wave of the e-business evolution. We are pleased to work with WAPHead! which shares the same vision with us," said Linda Young, e-business & Multi Industry Solutions Manager of IBM China/Hong Kong Limited. "We will provide our best-of-breed technology and services to help WAPHead! delivers the unmatched convenience and values to customers."
WAP and all WAP-based marks are world-wide trademarks or registered trademarks of Wireless Application Protocol Forum Ltd. Nokia, Ericsson and Motorola are trademarks of their respective companies. WAPHead! WAPHead! is a leading technology company focused for the narrowband and broadband wireless Internet market.
The portal - WAPHead! is the world's first wireless Internet portal supporting Chinese and English for mobile phones and handheld personal organizers. Until Dec 31, 1999, WAPHead!'s portal has over 100 native applications and contents. WAPHead! also signed agreement with Inforian Taiwan, the leading provider of CICQ - a real-time chat system, to develop "ICQ for WAP" both in Chinese and English. IBM Corporation IBM is the world's largest information technology company, with 80 years of leadership in helping businesses innovate.