PARIS, FRANCE: Alcatel-Lucent recently announced that it has acquired OpenPlug, a mobile software and applications development tools vendor.

According to the release, Alcatel-Lucent its role in the applications space by delivering, as part of its integrated suite of developer tools, a platform where application developers can write an application once, which will then be translated to run on any of the five major mobile operating systems.

Alcatel-Lucent can now extend OpenPlug's functionality to developers so they can create and deploy applications across multiple mobile devices said a press release.

As a result, applications that had previously only been available on more sophisticated devices such as smartphones, can now be enjoyed by consumers on any mobile device, which opens up opportunities in emerging markets, where low cost mobile phone circulation is highest.

"While demand for mobile apps is peaking, so is the fragmentation of mobile development platforms and tools," said Michael Cote, analyst for Redmonk.

OpenPlug's mobile software turns every device into a smart device. It allows developers to write applications once and convert application code into native software that runs on any leading mobile device operating system, including iPhone, Android, Symbian, Windows Mobile, and Linux added the release.

"Being able to provide more applications across multiple devices helps service providers significantly broaden their app store content to create more value for consumers," said Laura Merling, vice president of Alcatel-Lucent's global developer strategy.

He added, "As service providers typically offer multiple mobile devices to their subscriber base, the OpenPlug software can help them get to market five times faster by allowing them to easily port an application to all of their devices. ."

"Deploying valuable web and mobile services requires assembling many different pieces from many horizons," said Eric Baissus, CEO of OpenPlug. "By combining OpenPlug's ELIPS Suite and ELIPS Studio technologies with Alcatel-Lucent's platforms and API services, we enable developers to gather all these pieces in a very efficient and consistent way. This will dramatically facilitate the deployment and the monetization of the new generation of applications that the market is expecting."

The OpenPlug toolset will be incorporated into Alcatel-Lucent's Developer Platform and Open API Service, thus broadening the functionality available to service providers, enterprises and developers for the exposure of network assets and the rapid introduction of new services across mobile and Web domains.