The world’s two largest mobile operators – China Mobile and Vodafone – are teaming with Japan’s Softbank to establish a Joint Innovation Lab (JIL) aimed at accelerating the commercial deployment of mobile internet services. According to reports, the JIL will launch projects based on emerging technologies and market demand, and will focus on such applications as mobile widgets. Initially, the JIL plans to enable different widgets and applications to run seamlessly on different handset platforms and operating systems across different mobile operators, whilst safeguarding customer security and privacy. The trio of mobile operators stated that they welcome the co-operation of vendors and developers in the creation of new applications and services.

Specific details on the initiative have not been forthcoming. The presence of the world’s two largest mobile operators – China Mobile is the world’s largest operator by subscriber base, and Vodafone claims to be the world’s largest by revenue – is likely to ensure the JIL has a high-profile market presence. Softbank is Japan’s fastest growing mobile operator.