The technology allows users to look up information, such as house valuations, recent sales in the area or other relevant information, using a mobile phone.

M-Com can deliver the data via WAP or even SMS but prefers to use Java to offer a better looking, more secure service.

Terralink has a large land information database which contains New Zealand topographic data, legal property information, aerial/satellite imagery and addressing data.

Property developers, real estate agents and prospective home owners can view a property's sales history. Terralink plans to offer customers access to aerial photos and mapping applications through the mobile phone application, says Julian Grainger, product manager at Terralink.

"The mobile phone service is an opportunity for us to offer our customers access to real time information," he says.