Sources close to the company said the move was part of the group's diversification into WAP-based services. Escorts' telecommunications arm, Escotel Communications Ltd currently offers cellular services in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Kerala.

In the run-up to its Bangalore launch, Cellnext which will offer WAP services via mobile phones and other wireless devices, is in talks with hardware companies to put the back-end in place.

According to the sources, the company has tied up with Bangalore-based Jataayu Software Pvt Ltd, a subsidiary of Integra Microsystems Pvt Ltd, to use the latter's WAP server -- Jataayu -- to offer its services.

Integra is part of a small club of companies globally that offers WAP servers and gateways. Jataayu, its indigenous product, was recently spun off as a subsidiary to leverage the brand.

While officials from neither Integra nor Cellnext were available for comment, the sources said that the roll out of the services was likely to commence within the next two months.

``The company is currently in discussions with hardware vendors like Wipro, Compaq, IBM, etc, to set up operations. The services will offer Internet access via mobile devices powered by Integra's WAP server,'' they said.