Be wary of Wap-enabled hype, warns analyst

Almost 70 per cent of cellular mobile subscriptions will be wireless application protocol (Wap)-enabled by 2005, according to analyst Datamonitor.

In five years' time more than 186 million cellular devices used will have direct internet access, predicts Datamonitor. While the analyst sees this as a great opportunity for companies to data-enable their mobile users, or to sell products to mobile users through websites, it warned that companies need to be wary of Wap hype.

David Hall, a Datamonitor consultant, said: "Mobile data will be very important, but there is an element of hype over how much Wap can do for your ebusiness website. It's not enough to tag a Wap gateway on to your server. These gateways just deal with minimising the amount of bandwidth needed to carry the information on the mobile network. "The Wap conversion doesn't ensure that the information will be displayed in a way that it is suitable for small devices. To do this web technicians need to rewrite the code to make sure the important frames can be viewed on the device."

While Hall believes that Wap, which is based on wireless mark-up language, will still have a large installed base by 2005, he predicts that third-generation mobile will bring other possibilities because of the increase in bandwidth. Hall suggests that HTML could be used for mobile sites as well as fixed sites because there will not be the same pressure on bandwidth.

"This could save time because the programmer only has to write in one language. The fixed site could be designed with mobile in mind so that a second version isn't needed," he said.

See also:

Carphone Warehouse gets Gameplay for Wap

Mobile phone retailer Carphone Warehouse has signed a deal with European portal Gameplay to provide gaming information and quizzes to Wap phone users.  30 Mar 2000

3G auction threatens mobile net take-up

The UK government's auction of third generation (3G) mobile licences has sent operators into a frenzy. But critics say the process is out of control and warn that there will be a knock-on effect on mobile service prices.  29 Mar 2000

Crazy 3G bids break billion pound barrier

Bids for the two largest next-generation mobile licences in the UK government's auction shot over the £1bn mark today.  24 Mar 2000

Speeding up the Wap revolution

The world has clearly gone mad for Wap, but industry experts warn it must evolve quickly if it is to deliver on its potential.  23 Mar 2000

BT Cellnet to offer pre-paid Wap phones

BT Cellnet will next month launch the UK's first pre-paid Wap-enabled mobile phone service.  14 Mar 2000

Microsoft hijacks Wap

Microsoft's public declaration of support for wireless application protocol (Wap) will not be reflected in its product strategy, which instead will be based on a Microsoft-developed alternative.  09 Mar 2000

3G mobile phone licences to be auctioned in UK

Wap may only just have arrived, but next week the race is on to operate 3G (third generation) mobile phone networks.  03 Mar 2000

Autonomy cashes in on Wap phones

UK-based intelligent agent software firm Autonomy has entered the brave new world of wireless application protocol (Wap).  02 Mar 2000

New link up brings pop star gossip to mobiles

EMI, the music group being acquired by Warner, is to announce tonight a link up with Genie, BT Cellnet's internet division, to provide music fans with up-to-date information on artistes and releases.  29 Feb 2000

UK businesses say: if the Wap fits, wear it

Mobile internet access is changing the way the UK does business.  28 Feb 2000

Firm develops multimedia eye for Wap phones

Imaging specialist Olympus is developing a multimedia eye glass to use with Wap-enabled phones.  25 Feb 2000

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