ZDNet's Peter Judge today reports on the launch of a new social networking site for the wireless industry. "The Wireless Industry Partnership (WIP), launched this week, uses a Web site to connect potential business partners in wireless fields including Wi-Fi, WiMax, 3G and RFID," Judge writes.

"With funding available for wireless companies, and waves of hype surrounding technologies such as 3G, Wi-Fi and WiMax, the site -- which costs $300 (£157) for full membership -- sounds similar to efforts during the dot-com boom to pair up entrepreneurs with venture capitalists," Judge writes. "But WIP is keen to dispel the comparison."

"WIP isn't just about linking entrepreneurs with technology and funding, although that is a major benefit to some members," says John Sidline of Mobility Public Relations, which is promoting the venture. "It's primarily about creating marketplace efficiencies to bring new wireless technologies to market faster. That could mean a lot of different things such as finding channels for global distribution, or larger companies finding companies to either buy or license technologies so they don't have to build from scratch, or finding contractors or potential employees."

The WIP press release is here.