An intro to WAP

With the explosive growth of mobile phone ownership � more than 40% of the UK population now owns a mobile phone � the link between two of today�s hottest technologies is expected to create a potent cocktail.

In only a couple of years, new telecoms networks that support high-speed mobile internet access will be in place and internet-enabled phones are expected to be the norm. By 2004, Forrester Research predicts that one-third of Europeans will regularly access the internet via their mobile phones.


WAP GLOSSARY

Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)
The standard for connecting wireless devices such as phones to the internet.

Short Message Service (SMS)
Allows text messages of up to 160 characters to be sent to and from mobile phones.

Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM)
The prevailing mobile standard in Europe and most of Asia Pacific.

General Packet Radio Service (GPRS)
Standard within GSM that will allow instant, high-speed internet access from mobile devices. European mobile phone networks will begin to introduce GPRS in the second half of 2000.

Universal Mobile Telecommunications System/Third Generation (UMTS/3G)
High-capacity, third generation network that will support mobile video as well as audio, graphics and text. The first UMTS licence has been awarded in Finland and the rest of Europe will start to award licences this year.