Wi-fi lovers get social networking site

A social networking site aimed at the wireless industry is a sign of sustained growth, not a new technology bubble, according to its founders.

The Wireless Industry Partnership (WIP), launched this week, uses a website to connect potential business partners in wireless fields including 3G, RFID, wi-fi and WiMax.

Caroline Lewko, founder and chief executive of WIP, said: "The wireless industry is approaching a tipping point, and will impact the lives of virtually everyone who uses technology of some kind."

Wireless markets are growing much faster than the overall telecoms industry, according to analyst predictions.

With funding available for wireless companies, and waves of hype surrounding technologies such as 3G, wi-fi and WiMax, the site - which costs $300 for full membership - sounds similar to efforts during the dot-com boom to pair up entrepreneurs with venture capitalists. But WIP is keen to dispel the comparison.

John Sidline of Mobility Public Relations, who is promoting the venture, said: "WIP isn't just about linking entrepreneurs with technology and funding, although that is a major benefit to some members.

"It's primarily about creating marketplace efficiencies to bring new wireless technologies to market faster. That could mean a lot of different things such as finding channels for global distribution, or larger companies finding companies to either buy or license technologies so they don't have to build from scratch, or finding contractors or potential employees."

Mobility is a way of life and a real opportunity, say the founders. Lewko, a former consultant at Andersen Consulting (now Accenture) who founded her first wireless innovation network in British Columbia in 2001, said: "That kind of adoption precludes wireless from being a bubble."

Sidline added: "Wireless is an industry that will explode, not a bubble that will burst."

Peter Judge writes for ZDNet UK