Ericsson and Sybase work on Wap banking

Ericsson and database vendor Sybase have teamed up to develop Wap-based mobile banking applications.

Sybase's wireless software unit, iAnywhere Solutions, will work with the Swedish mobile phone supplier to create applications that let mobile users bank over the web. A test centre in Sweden has been set up for the alliance.

The two companies plan to sell the banking and trading application to companies such as the Citigroup financial institution from the middle of 2001. The applications will be based on Sybase's iAnywhere Wireless Server running on Ericsson Epoc-based mobile phones.

Ronny Vyncke, vice president of operations and technology at Citibank, said: "Citibank believes the teaming of Sybase and Ericsson will provide the right infrastructure and applications to make mobile banking a reality."

As part of the development, banks would be able to notify customers of changes in their profile, such as a stock reaching a certain asking price or an account being overdrawn, through their mobile phones.

"Wireless devices are becoming key enablers of mission-critical ebusiness applications," said Scott Weiss, an analyst at consultant the Hurwitz Group. "The combined solution offered by Ericsson and iAnywhere Solutions will address an important requirement for these business professionals by enabling them to access critical information wherever they may be, both on and offline."

Neither company would disclose how much they are investing in the alliance.