Nortel Networks is heading up a local research and development project focusing on future mobile network capabilities.
Comprising research teams from the University of Sydney, the University of Melbourne and the University of South Australia, the consortium is known as "d*Mobility: Wireless Data Research consortium".
According to JB Clarke, director, Nortel Technology Centre, Wollongong, the consortium is focusing on future, third-generation (3G) wireless data technologies capable of supporting Wireless Internet and other multimedia applications.
A key aspect of the consortium is the advisory role undertaken by Telstra.
In its advisory role, Telstra provides advice to the consortium as a user of technology, in addition to "testing" new technologies, a spokesperson from Telstra Research Laboratories told Computerworld.
Telstra and Nortel are already working together on the development of Telstra's CDMA (code division multiple access) mobile network.
Clarke declined to disclose how much Nortel Australia has invested in the project, but said more local R&D activities and investments will be announced soon.
Clarke also said Nortel is having discussions with a fourth university which may join the consortium.