This week seven leading mobile operators have united to create a new organization, known as the Next Generation Mobile Networks (NGMN) initiative, aimed at taking the industry beyond its current parameters.

The companies involved are Orange, T-Mobile, NTT DoCoMo, Vodafone, Sprint Nextel, KPN, and China Mobile

NGMN this week became a UK limited company and has set requirements for a future wide area broadband network.

The initiative will be working with pre existing standards bodies, and according to a statement will, "seek to shape the development and standardisation of the next generation of mobile technologies.'

The group plans to build upon existing infrastructure and follow what it calls an "evolutionary path' to developing new and innovative services.

Thomas Geitner, Chairman of NGMN Ltd said in a statement: "As major players within the industry and heavy consumers of mobile broadband infrastructure, we believe that the future of mobile networks should be determined by a mix of technical and performance standards.'

United kingdom T-mobile