Alcatel and China Unicom, one of China's mobile service providers today announced the availability of the first commercial WAP 2.0 service in China.

This service enables WAP users to browse web pages through their mobile handsets. The introduction of WAP 2.0 service results from a contract previously concluded between Alcatel Shanghai Bell, Alcatel's flagship Chinese Company and China Unicom. Operational since April 2004, the Alcatel WAP 2.0 solution is connected to China Unicom's nation-wide mobile data network and automatically switches users between current WAP applications and new WAP 2.0 services such as mobile web browsing, HTTP-powered games, and other mobile Internet applications. Based on Alcatel's WAP 2.0 platform, more than 500,000 WAP subscribers will enjoy the new value-added services.

The Alcatel WAP 2.0 solution delivers carrier-grade mobile Internet applications that run on the Intel Xeon processor using a Linux operating environment. The WAP 2.0 platform's high level of efficiency and flexibility is achieved by incorporating the Alcatel 5311 WAP gateway software. A customized diagnostic and analysis package included with the WAP 2.0 platform enables fully remote maintenance and rapid resolution of potential system faults and will help the operator reduce operating expenses while ensuring high quality of service levels.