"Basics and Potentials of WAP"
["Grundlagen und Einsatzpotentiale von WAP"]
Abstract

While using the fixed phone network network for Internet access has become normal, data connections via cellphones are still slow and complicated. The Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) was created in order to adapt special and useful Internet applications to mobile phone use.

Requirements for such applications are defined by the limited capabilities of cellphones or PDAs and by different conditions of use - like in situations with demand for fast handling of small but important and urgent tasks.

WAP uses such existing infrastructure as the cellphone network and the Internet, but describes specifications adapted to the new environment: data compression, concentration to essential information and ease of use. Using the WTA (Wireless Telephony Application) interface, entirely new applications may be possible which use the Internet capabilities to expand the functions of the cellphone as well as the cellphone networks.