WAP

The Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) is one of the many protocols being
implemented into the wireless arena for the purpose of increasing mobility
by enabling mobile users to surf the internet.WAP is being implemented by
numerous mobile equipment vendors since it is meant to provide a universal
open standard for wireless phones, that is, cellular/GSM, and PCS for
the purpose of delivering Internet content and other value-added services.
Besides various mobile phones,WAP is also designed for PDAs to also utilize
this protocol.

WAP enables mobile users to surf the Internet in a limited fashion; that
is, they can send and receive e-mails and surf the net in a text format onlywithout
graphics, which 2.5G systems will enable with the requisite handset.
For WAP to be utilized by a mobile subscriber, the wireless operator, be
it cellular or PCS, needs to implement WAP in his or her system as well as
ensure that the subscriber units, that is, the phones, are WAP-capable.
WAP is meant to be utilized by the following cellular/PCS system types:

■ GSM-900, GSM-1800, GSM-1900
■ CDMA IS-95
■ TDMA IS-136
■ 3G systems

It is important to note that although WAP enables the user to send and
receive text, it does not require additional spectrum and is a service
enhancement that can and does coexist with the 2G technology platforms.
WAP is not really a 2.5G platform for delivering high-speed wireless data
due fundamentally to the fact that it uses 2G radio platforms to deliver it
service and does not have the bandwidth0. However,WAP will increase the mobility of many subscribers and enable a host of data applications to be
delivered for enhanced services to subscribers. 216