
The trial began an initial period of live testing in early February. It is being carried out in partnership with Ubiquisys and NEC Corporation. A commercial launch of the technology is expected by early 2009.
Meanwhile Telefonica also announced today a €40 million programme to invest in innovative and entrepreneurial technology companies. The venture capital programme has been set up by Telefónica’s Executive Committee.
It has already signed up three start-ups, and expects there to be up to 12 companies in the portfolio by year-end 2008. The three investments made to date have been multimedia social networking specialist Kyte, user recognition innovator GestureTek, and mobile advertising solutions specialist Amobee.



