WAP for the Mobile World

“By 2003, over 50% of Internet access will be by non-PCs.” - Meta Group

“By 2005, 1 billion mobile devices will be used worldwide.”- Gartner Group

WAP or Wireless Application Protocol is the open standard for enabling web content to mobile phones and other wireless devices. WAP is the platform for the new generation of information through phones. It is really nothing but a set of rules derived by Nokia and first developed for use in their mobile phones.

The wireless services provided by WAP are independent of the underlying digital wireless network technology. WAP enables users of mobile phones to have access to information and transactional services.

WAP in everyday life
The user of a WAP-enabled mobile phone can get connected to the Internet instantly and can access any Internet service immediately. S/he can seek and get stock market quotes, Internet searches, banking information, flight timings, current news and much more.

In practice, there are certain limitations to using a mobile phone to access data, as compared to a computer, for example: screen size and lack of keyboard input. But such usage is inevitably going to increase in future. The reason is, a computer confines you to a physical location, whereas with a mobile phone you can reach the information quickly from wherever you are.

WML & WML Script
WML or Wireless Markup Language is a part of WAP. Using WMLScript you can write code for your cell phones which are WAP-enabled. Cellular phones are the base for WML and WML Scripts in the WAP world.

Cellular phones are often called "User Agents" and are capable of interpreting WML and WMLScripts. WMLScript is a JavaScript like scripting language which helps to make WML dynamic. You can get the WML and WMLScripts specification and download them at WAPforum.com. WAPforum is the consortium founded by Nokia, Ericsson, Motorola and Phone.com that standardizes WML which was designed for low-bandwidth, small-display devices.

What does 'WAP-enabled' mean?
By loading software or a micro browser in your communication device, say in your mobile phone, you can handle all WML 1.1 DTD that can help you receive information. If your phone has a micro browser that can convert WML into information that is viewable, then your phone is WAP-enabled. You need a WAP-enabled phone for use in WAP communication.

Creating applications with WML
You can develop WML applications by using the concept called "Deck of Cards". A Deck is nothing but a WML page or document and a Card means an interaction between the user and the user agent. (As I mentioned before, the user agent is your phone). The user can open or download multiple cards at a time and can communicate at a high rate of speed. If you want to learn how to write WML scripts, follow some of the WAP-related links given at the end of this article.

Some statistics on Mobile revolution in India*
(Growth of the mobile phone market)

May 99 May '00 Growth

Target: Year end - Over 3 million mobile phones; 2005: 25 million; 2008: more than land capacity

*Source - Economic Times, 10th July 2000

WAP-related links

1. http://webcab.de/wrg/
This is is a site where you can find WAP resources like WAP Browsers, WAP Hosting, SDKs and much more.

2. http://www.wirelessdevnet.com/training/WAP/WML.html
A good tutorial on WAP and WML for beginners. You can learn how to write WML and WMLScripts.

3. http://www.wapforum.org/
A forum where you can discuss with WAP developers all over the world. Get help or help others in this WAP developers community.

4. http://www.opengroup.org/wap/cert/index.html
You can get your WAP products certified here

5. http://www.wapsight.com/
A resourceful site where you can find WAP developer tools, open source projects, WAP specifications, WAP articles and current news.

Related Links - Cutting-edge

WAP Mobile Computing: Bluetooth Technology