Opera Software and Motorola's Global Software Group are working on a joint software offering.

The package comprises Opera's HTML browser software, which provides desktop-like functionality on a mobile phone, and the Wap stack from Motorola GSG's browser software.

The firms announced that the combination would allow operators to extend the life of existing investments in Wap infrastructure, and give customers the benefit of content that is now common in the embedded devices marketplace.

Under the terms of the deal Opera and Motorola GSG will each license the combined offering to operators. Opera will also license Motorola's Wap Browser and MMS device client to customers as individual products.

Opera Software chief executive Jon S. von Tetzchner said in a statement: "Today's agreement allows Opera to let operators and handset manufacturers gain revenue from past investments in Wap technology, while embracing the numerous possibilities in what is new to mobile browsing."

Amreesh Modi, vice president, systems solutions and products division, at Motorola GSG, added: "Now we can meet the needs of high-end, high-functionality, smartphone users, as well as voice-centric phone users."