MENLO PARK, Calif. -- GetThere.com entered a deal with Phone.com Inc. to offer
Web-based travel services through Internet-ready mobile telephones.
Phone.com said it currently offers travel itinerary information
through its MyPhone mobile portal service. That service is
available through several wireless telephone networks in the
U.S.
GetThere plans to add the ability to book flights and change
travel itineraries from the road using its Mobile Manager
technology.
Phone.com officials said they believe there is a need for
specific travel information on the road. "Despite modern
technologies such as e-ticketing and automated flight information,
business travelers still face issues such as last-minute schedule
changes and flight delays due to weather or mechanical
malfunctions," said Ben Linder, vice president of Phone.com.
"Our partnership with GetThere.com allows travelers to address
these issues by receiving notification of changes in their travel
arrangements directly from their mobile phone."
Phone.com, based in Redwood City, Calif., has developed software
that gives subscribers access to electronic mail, news, stocks,
weather, travel and sports information on wireless telephone
systems.
GetThere.com, based in Menlo Park, Calif., offers automated
corporate travel reservations software, called Global Manager, to
large corporations such as Nike, Chevron, Texas Instruments and
others.
GetThere also provides the on-line booking capability of several
electronic commerce sites, such as Trip.com and Travel.com.
Officials were not certain exactly when travel reservations will
be available to wireless customers.
GetThere.com officials see this agreement as entering the next
phase of automated travel reservations.
"Phone.com has helped wireless carriers take advantage of the
Internet by offering innovative services to their customers, and
GetThere.com has given business travelers the convenience of
real-time booking," said Dan Whaley, chief technology officer of
GetThere.com.
"This agreement combines the power of the wireless Internet and
on-line travel booking to show the new category of services the
Internet can offer the traveler."