IDC analyst Brian Burke said the announcement was timely and relevant as handsets are increasingly the target of unwanted or malicious content.

The URL filtering and security solution will help protect mobile handsets and devices from content that could interfere with voice and data services and also block downloading of malicious code. It will allow GSM/UMTS wireless operators to set mobile handset and device Internet access policies for subscribers across three URL filtering categories - security threats, adult materials, and undesirable content. Each category will contain content in a variety of sub-categories to allow for flexible and carefully defined policy settings.

For protection from high-risk Web sites, subscribers will be able to request the operator to automatically block malicious content from reaching their wireless devices. Further, providers can now empower parents to prevent their children from viewing inappropriate or dangerous material.

Deborah Bourland, vice president, GSM/UMTS packet core product line management at Nortel said the company is combining the Web filtering expertise from Websense with Nortel's networking technology.