Ericsson, founder of WAP, is also taking the lead in WAP development. The company commercially launched the world’s first WAP terminal. Ericsson works actively to support WAP application development. On the systems side, operators have already started to invest in Ericsson WAP Gateways, which makes the mobile systems WAP enabled. The combination of consumer terminals, applications development, systems and consultants make Ericsson the most complete WAP supplier.
WAP is the first step toward Mobile Internet and third generation mobile technologies. Mobile Internet will not only make the current Internet available from mobile terminals, but create a whole new set of services that will be available anywhere, anytime for all users. It is clear that services such as banking, shopping, ticketing and entertainment soon will be available wherever the user wants them.
WAP is not only about phones and applications. The user needs to connect to a WAP gateway provided by an operator or service provider. Ericsson delivered the world’s first end-to-end WAP 1.1 (the first true WAP standard) compliant WAP system already in June 1999.
Ericsson has 30% of the world’s market for mobile infrastructure – more than twice the size of the closest competitor. Looking at the next step toward Mobile Internet, Ericsson has so far more than 50% of the world’s contracts for GPRS. Ericsson is the only supplier who can offer all mobile standards for both second and third generation infrastructure. This is an excellent position for WAP development together with the world’s leading operators.
The Ericsson WAP Developers Zone facilitates WAP applications development. The zone provides support for WAP application developers in terms of training, developers tools, conferences, WAP expert help, and so forth. The corner stone in the WAP Developers Zone is the world-wide network of WAP competence, established by Ericsson, which can support regional WAP firms.
WAP, as it is launched today, runs over regular mobile systems. This means that the data transfer speed is limited, as those networks are optimized for voice traffic. But it is a first step in a very significant development. Within the next couple of years, Mobile Internet will develop with GPRS and true third generation (3G) technology.
With GPRS, users will have instant WAP access and more than five times faster connections than today. 3G enables video chats and full Internet browsing on the move. It all starts with WAP.
WAP will be part of everyday life when:
Ericsson works actively with all aspects of WAP and Mobile Internet.
Ericsson’s analysis shows that almost 50% of all mobile users will use WAP by the end of 2001. No other manufacturer has so far announced such a broad range of WAP-devices as Ericsson. In September 1999, Ericsson unveiled the R320 mobile telephone. Already on the market was the MC218, a WAP-enabled mobile companion which was the first WAP-product ever to hit the market. In 2000, a majority of Ericsson phones will be WAP enabled.
Ericsson has also established a world-wide WAP consulting organization within Ericsson Business Consulting. In the beginning of next year this organization will engage around 400 highly qualified and experienced people.
WAP applications that Ericsson believes will take off include e-mail, voice messaging, calender, e-commerce, banking services, cityguides, ticketing, restaurant reservations etc. There will be tailor-made WAP portals for different types of users, where they can access their preferred services.
Ericsson Canada Inc., a subsidiary of LM Ericsson, Sweden, serves the Canadian market by providing complete communication solutions including Wireless Systems & Solutions, Mobile Phones, IP and Data Systems & Solutions - including e-commerce, e-crm, and Internet Multimedia - and Consulting Services. In addition, Ericsson is Canada's sixth largest R&D investor. It’s R & D Centre in Montreal develops systems for multiple wireless standards as well as technology for future 3rd generation (3G) telecommunication. Ericsson employs more than 1,500 people and has offices in Montreal, Mississauga, Vancouver, Ottawa, Calgary, Fort McMurray and Waterloo. For more information about Ericsson Canada, visit <http://www.ericsson.com/ca>.
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