Google, Chungwa Telecom cut mobile search deal

Search giant Google announced it will partner with Taiwanese operator Chungwa Telecom to launch mobile web search services in the first quarter of 2007. Chungwa's "enome" mobile platform will also deliver Google Earth and Google Map services, and insiders say the carrier's nascent Yellow Pages Media subsidiary will work with Google to develop a keyword-search advertising business as well.

Google also announced that despite speculation it would team with China Mobile, the company will instead go it alone in the Chinese market as it continues its struggles to win market share from search rival Baidu.com. "We have confidence in our current approach" Google's president for Greater China Lee Kai-fu said, although he declined to discuss specifics on the company's Chinese strategy.

For more on the Google/Chungwa deal:
- read this BusinessWeek article