In order to be a part of the global boom in the telecom sector, IBM India Research Lab while has announced its plans to launch Mobile Web initiatives. As part of this initiative, the India Research Lab will develop new feature rich applications for mobile devices.

Informing about the new initiative John E Kelly, senior vice president, IBM Research said, "The India Research Lab has contributed significantly not only to Indian customers, but also has supported our global clients, helping us develop new applications in various fields. The India research Lab will play an increasing important role globally. This new initiative will help us tap the burgeoning telecom sector and this project will help us envelop new applications. Earlier, the India Research Lab was helping other IBM Research Labs develop new products but now the lab is capable of developing products on its own and might be involved in the process from start to finish."

The Mobile Web project which will be headed by the India research Lab includes five major initiatives. including, Spoken Web, Instant Translation, SoulPad, BuddyComm and Good Samaritan. This programme will consist of a number of efforts to bring simple and easy to use services for mobile phone users. The applications would be voice based.

Explained Daniel Dias, Director, IBM India Research Lab, "There is a lot of market potential in the telecom sector in India. We have done some pilot projects in the Spoken Web segment in India. These value added services will help the service provider community to provide enhanced services to their customers. The user community could use their mobile phones at more ease than PCs." The India Research Lab is in the process of innovation related to environment and ecosystems. Apart from this particular initiative IBM is investing heavily in mobile software and hardware platforms.

Said Shanker Annaswamy, managing director, IBM India and South Asia, "The India Lab has not only developed applications such as the Business Risiliency Model and the Business Finder Technology but is also helping us serve our customers better. We are extending our services to HDFC Bank to enhance their customer satisfaction with the help of the India Lab. IBM Daksh is also taking the help of this Lab to provide various security related features to its customers. We are also working with the Government of India on various projects though this Lab."