Page 13 - DCAP512_WAP_AND_WML

Unit 1: Understanding WAP (Wireless Application Protocol)

application developers to grasp the tag-based WML that will pave the way for services to be Notes
written and deployed within an operator’s network quickly and easily. As WAP is a global and
interoperable open standard, content providers have immediate access to a wealth of potential
customers who will seek such applications to enhance the service offerings given to their own
existing and potential subscriber base. Mobile consumers are becoming more hungry to receive
increased functionality and value-add from their mobile devices, and WAP opens the door to
this untapped market that is expected to reach 100 million WAP–enabled devices by the end of
the year 2005. This presents developers with significant revenue opportunities.

Example:
1. Using WAP we can get information of train timetable.
2. Using WAP can purchase tickets. Like: movie, journey ticket, etc.

End Users

End users of WAP will benefit from easy, secure access to relevant Internet information and
services such as unified messaging, banking, and entertainment through their mobile devices.
Intranet information such as corporate databases can also be accessed via WAP technology.
Because a wide range of handset manufacturers already supports the WAP initiative, users will
have significant freedom of choice when selecting mobile terminals and the applications they
support. Users will be able to receive and request information in a controlled, fast, and low-cost
environment, a fact that renders WAP services more attractive to consumers who demand more
value and functionality from their mobile terminals.
As the initial focus of WAP, the Internet will set many of the trends in advance of WAP
implementation. It is expected that the Internet Service Providers (ISPs) will exploit the true
potential of WAP. Web content developers will have great knowledge and direct access to the
people they attempt to reach. In addition, these developers will likely acknowledge the huge
potential of the operators’ customer bases; thus, they will be willing and able to offer competitive
prices for their content. WAP’s push capability will enable weather and travel information
providers to use WAP.

!
Caution This push mechanism affords a distinct advantage over the WWW and represents
tremendous potential for both information providers and mobile operators.

1.1.5 Why Choose WAP?

In the past, wireless Internet access has been limited by the capabilities of handheld devices and
wireless networks.
WAP utilizes Internet standards such as XML, User Datagram Protocol (UDP), and Internet
Protocol (IP). Many of the protocols are based on Internet standards such as Hypertext Transfer
Protocol (HTTP) and TLS but have been optimized for the unique constraints of the wireless
environment: low bandwidth, high latency, and less connection stability.
Internet standards such as Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), HTTP, TLS and Transmission
Control Protocol (TCP) are inefficient over mobile networks, requiring large amounts of mainly
text-based data to be sent. Standard HTML content cannot be effectively displayed on the small
size screens of pocket-sized mobile phones and pagers.

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