Not content with the markets it already serves, search engine giant Google is starting the new year off Eastern style in a deal with China Mobile (News - Alert) to provide mobile, Internet search services.

 

Tele.com reported Thursday that Google (News - Alert) will be providing online search technology to China Mobile—a carrier with roughly 300 million subscribers. The new services involved are expected to be launched early this year.

 

The strategic partnership between the two companies, SinoCast said in a report Friday, will result in a group of new mobile search services and products available to Mobile China subscribers.

 

While it is just being officially announced now, SinoCast noted, the deal has been in the works since the beginning of 2006.

 

The Google+Mobile China partnership could soon have some competition, the SinoCast report added, as local Google rival Baidu is also in talks with mobile phone producers and carriers to develop cell phone-based search services.

The Tele.com report noted that Google is biting off a sizable chunk with its latest move, as China is the second largest online market in the world (120 million users), second only to the U.S.

 

The development of mobile phone search services seems to be among Google’s latest kicks. The company late in 2006 introduced a mobile version of its popular Gmail e-mail service, and announced a mobile search deal with Indian service provider Bharti Airtel.

 

China Mobile, meanwhile, has been busy generally in the telecom/IP communications space, deploying an Alcatel (News - Alert)-based IP network and targeting various telecom markets around the world with strategically placed acquisitions.

 

===============================================================

===============================================================