Oracle and Motorola in wireless alliance

Oracle has announced it is establishing a new start-up company that will

develop new wireless Internet access products and services. The unit will

combine Oracle technology with cell phones and other wireless devices from

Motorola, which will also contribute its voice-command recognition technology.

Oracle has been operating a unit known as Portal-to-Go which develops

software-based wireless Internet technology that allows users to access the

Internet from devices other than a computer. Last October, Oracle and Motorola

combined Portal-to- Go with Motorola' voice-based VoxML technology, which allows

users to access information using voice commands. Last week, Oracle also

announced it had made a deal with Sweden’s telecommunications company Telia AB

to create a company to develop and sell wireless Internet products outside the

U.S.

Oracle CEO Larry Ellison said the spin-off and alliance with Motorola are

part of the company’s effort to tap into the growing market for technology to

access the Internet from cell phones and other devices. The market is expected

to grow to $13.2 billion a year by 2003 from $1.8 billion now.