Ever wonder what this new W.A.P craze is all about, let us explain!

There is a new kid on the block - WAP, and ISPr are here to help answer some questions about this new phenomenon. This article explains what WAP is, the limitations, preferences and more…

What is WAP?

It is easy to get confused about all the fancy new IT-stuff. You might have understood that WAP has something to do with getting Internet on your mobile phone. This article explains WAP and holds up some possibilities and some limitations.

Definition

The Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) is an open, global specification, which gives mobile users with wireless devices the opportunity to easily access and interact with information and services. The protocol is developed by WAP Forum http://www.wapforum.org/, an organization of some of the most powerful Internet and telecom companies.

Why prefer WAP to surfing the net on your computer?

You won't get access to the WAP services before you buy a WAP phone. They are not too expensive, and the telecom experts predict that WAP phones will be better, faster and cheaper in the next few months. This is a technology that develops fast, and the newest WAP phones are much better compared to yesterday's phones, which you can buy in your local telecom shop for a nice price.

Estimates

Forrester is one of the leading independent research firms, which analyses the future of technological change and its impact on businesses, consumers, and society. This research institute has conducted research on WAP and presumes that by 2004, one-third of all Europeans -- more than 219 million consumers -- will regularly use their mobile phones to access Internet services.

According to a recent report from Forrester, ninety percent of the e-commerce executives interviewed plan to launch Internet sites designed for mobile phones with tiny displays and thin connections. Forrester analysts stress the fact that the only thing that could slow this development is restricted user access.

In other words, smart cell phones will become the dominant means of accessing the Internet in some years, when Web-capable phones will make up 79 percent of the unit volume for Internet appliances, according to a report by Semico Research.

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