One of the largest accommodation brokers on the Internet, hotelguide.com, has announced the launch of its international hotel reservation system via i-mode(TM) service in Germany. Partnering with E-Plus, Germany's third largest mobile phone network, hotelguide.com will feature as a key international hotel search and booking service provider. i-mode(TM) is NTT DoCoMo Japan's multimillion user Mobile Internet service now being introduced to Europe throughout 2002.

"We are delighted that the opportunity to provide our services via an i-mode(TM) platform has come about so quickly" says Rolf Marti, VP of Business Development at hotelguide.com, "and we are looking forward to working closely with E-Plus to develop and deliver the best online hotel service for the Mobile Internet market."

With the inclusion of visual elements, the E-Plus i-mode(TM) service will offer an entirely new Mobile Internet experience for the user. "More than ever before, therefore, the success of our service is reliant on quality content," says Carsten Becker, Director Content & Partnering at E-Plus. "With the aim of supplying valuable content to our users, we have actively sought strategic partnerships with providers such as hotelguide.com. Their application is a vital component and will ensure our users have access to a comprehensive and visually appealing hotel information & booking service".

An early player in Mobile Internet travel development, hotelguide.com has an integrated i-mode(TM) solution which will present hotel pictures as well as its standard Mobile Internet features. hotelguide.com's award winning Mobile Internet service allows 'on the road' users to access user account details, search hotels and check availability before making online bookings direct from their Internet enabled mobile phone or PDA. "Also our unified user account provides access to one main account containing all booking information," explains Mr Marti. "Regardless of the medium used, whether it be Mobile Internet or our website, the user can access their confirmation details wherever they may be."

"We are proud to be part of this exciting Mobile Internet development in Europe," comments Mr Marti. "Our collaboration with E-Plus is indeed key in our strategy, but it also meets the aims of our end-users and hotel partners who want to be active in the Mobile Internet environment."