A Californian start-up company brokering mobile Internet content is to open its European headquarters and call centre in the Republic. Mr Christophe Watkins, co-founder of San Diego-based Indiqu, told The Irish Times it aims to open a Dublin office before the end of February, employing up to 60 people within six months.
Mr Watkins, who describes himself as chief media officer, is currently interviewing for senior positions in Dublin, including a managing director for Europe, a content manager, and a marketing director. He also plans to employ a sales and marketing team, and a team of Java and platform developers.
Indiqu, founded last year and privately funded, specialises in tailoring Internet content and services for mobile phones, presenting them as packages or "wireless portals" for cellular operators.
Describing itself as a "wireless syndicator company," Indiqu is forming partnerships with existing content providers in areas such as news, financial data, online gaming and "yellow pages", and with operators who deliver this content to mobile data users.
Mobile telephone networks all around the world are increasingly using the short message service (SMS) and the wireless application protocol (WAP) to offer data services to customers. WAP was recently launched by both operators in the Republic, each offering access to a fixed range of services.
Indiqu has not yet revealed any deals with operators, despite a long list of content partners. However, Mr Watkins said the first operator deals are to be announced at the annual GSM industry conference and exhibition in Cannes, France, next week.
It is understood this will include deals with a European and a US operator. The company may also launch services in Ireland later this year. "I am in talks with both Irish operators and am hoping to launch service on one or the other by mid-year," said Mr Watkins.
Mr Watkins cited two principal reasons for locating the European headquarters in Ireland. Firstly, he said, there were "great advantages" from the Government through subsidies and tax breaks and secondly, he said, the Republic's relatively simple mobile market is an ideal market in which to develop a portfolio of services.
"It is a fairly small market which we feel is a good test market," he said.
Indiqu was co-founded by Mr Watkins, who previously worked with Infogrames, a French entertainment software company, and with France Telecom, Mr James Newcomb, chief executive officer and chairman, who previously operated RainMaker Alliances, an investment banking enterprise specialising in technology firms, and Mr Karl Simonsen, corporate development officer, who previously worked in professional services for wireless technology companies.
Indiqu also plans to locate a customer support and services centre in the Republic. This call centre will allow subscribers of mobile networks using Indiqu's services to customise their mobile Internet portals by talking to someone, rather than having to navigate their way around on a cellular number pad.
Mr Watkins said the call centre is likely to be outsourced. Eoin Licken is at elicken@irish- times.ie
