IBM's Network Computer division, Network Computing Inc., and Sun Microsystems Inc. on Monday will spearhead the launch of the Mobile Network Computer Reference specification.

The new set of specs, which is an extension of the Network Computer Reference Profile, will include requirements for power and screen size and will enable vendors to build a variety of portable NC devices, ranging from smart phones to handheld PCs, said sources.

One of the goals of the new specifications will be to enable easy access to the Internet, sources said. Expected backers of the specification include Oracle Corp., Apple Computer Inc., Digital Equipment Corp., Peoplesoft Inc., Nokia Mobile Phones Inc., as well as a host of Japanese electronics vendors including Hitachi PC Corp., Fujitsu Ltd., Mitsubishi Electric Corp., and Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.

"This is kind of a showing of strength and solidarity from the NC companies," said Greg Blatnik, vice president at Zona Research Inc., in Redwood City, Calif., who has heard news of the announcement. "This is a counteroffensive [against Microsoft]."

The launch, which will be made in Tokyo, will come on the heels of the official NetPC release earlier this week at PC Expo in New York.

Officials at IBM in Somers, N.Y., declined to comment on unannounced products.