BBC News | BUSINESS | Internet drive by companies

BBC News Online: Business

Tuesday, 22 February, 2000, 17:43 GMT

Internet drive by companies

Some of the world's leading technology companies have joined forces to create a global standard for the transmission of data.

Psion, IBM, Lotus, Motorola, Nokia, Palm and Starfish Software plan to create an industry-wide standard.

The standard will allow people to access the internet, office e-mail and other computer services through any device made by any manufacturer and via any platform.

Analysts welcome the move as they say it will boost the development of the mobile internet, unlocking networked data for all wireless devices.

But some say without Microsoft, the SyncML group will have to fight to establish an industry standard.

"We are creating an open standard, they will be able to join in on the same basis as everybody else," a spokesman said.

Psion shares jumped 14.5% to Ł55.85 on the news.

Unifying standards

The partnership aims to develop a way for computer users on the move to swap and update data easily.

With the new standard, data should be accessible on any device, wherever it is stored and in whatever form, the group said.

Currently, there are several different standards for data transmission.

Each one functions with a limited number of data types, devices or systems.

Microsoft recently announced plans to develop software to allow mobile phones to connect to the internet, in conjunction with Ericsson.

But it faces a challenge from the Symbian alliance led by Psion which wants to create the software standard for the mobile internet.

Related to this story:
The Psion factor (01 Feb 00 | Business)
Ericsson, Microsoft build the 'poor man's' phone (09 Dec 99 | Business)
The mobile internet race (09 Dec 99 | Business)
Psion pockets Motorola deal (31 Jan 00 | Business)
The Telecom Revolution (21 Oct 99 | Business Basics)
BT, Microsoft ally on wireless Internet (27 Oct 99 | The Company File)

Internet Links: Psion IBM Motorola Nokia
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