The convergence of mobile technology and the Internet is generating a whole new market in which new and highly innovative broadband services are being introduced in rapid succession. These services will drive fundamental changes in the way business is conducted in IT, telecommunications, new media & financial services and create a discontinuity in the traditional value chain, with a shift from transmission to content and from the operators to content providers.

The Mobile Internet market, enabled by WAP, GPRS and UMTS, is set for explosive growth according to many industry observers. IDC (International Data Corp.) has predicted that more handsets than PC’s will be connected to Internet by the end of 2003. Durlacher, the Internet investment group, predicts that the European m-commerce market will grow to Euro 23 billion by 2003 compared with just Euro 323 million in 1998.  And the enthusiasm of the mobile phone operators in the recent auction of 3G licenses for the UK clearly demonstrates their expectations of a significant take-up of Mobile Internet services.

The explosion of the Mobile Internet economy will generate a tremendous demand for visionary professionals with the skills and experience needed to assist companies exploit the many opportunities that will be generated by the discontinuities in the mobile communications world. In particular, they will be highly sought after by the operators as they seek to transform themselves from voice centric network carriers to IP-based, data centric service providers in which customer management and service provision will be the key differentiators.

IG In mobile telephony, 1G refers to the first generation systems which were analog, circuit-switched systems in which voice links were poor, capacity was low and security non-existent. 2G 2G refers to the second generation of wireless telecommunications devices which are digital as opposed to first generation analog devices (cell phones). Including GSM, TDMA (or D-AMPS) and CDMA, 2G networks, which  are in current use throughout the world, provide extensive coverage with a proven and reliable communications infrastructure. However they are restricted by limited data transfer rates and limited security features. 2.5G 2.5G refers to wireless telecommunications that is more advanced than 2G but does not meet the requirements of 3G. The 2.5G protocols extend 2G systems to provide additional features such as packet-switched connection (GPRS) and enhanced data rates (HSCSD, EDGE).  3G 3G refers to third generation, the next generation of cellular radio for mobile telephony, designed from the outset to support wideband data communications in addition to voice. The technical framework for 3G is defined by the ITU. 3G networks support much higher data rates and are intended to support bandwidth-hungry applications such as video-conferencing and full Internet access. The first 3G networks are expected to start operating in Japan by 2001, in Europe and part of Asia/Pacific by 2002 and in the USA possibly by 2003. AMPS acronym for Advanced Mobile Phone Service Base Station A base station is the central radio transmitter & receiver that maintains communications with a mobile phone within a given range. Bluetooth Bluetooth is the name given to a new, open standard that has been adopted by a consortium of wireless equipment manufacturers. The Bluetooth technology is designed to be embedded in electronic devices (including computers, mobile phones, PDA’s, WID’s) in order to provide seamless wireless communications between both mobile and stationary devices over short distances. As such, Bluetooth technology will eliminate the need for cables and will thereby create a totally wireless network in either a residence or small business where all the devices are within 10m of one another.  For example, Bluetooth technology has the potential to be used to connect the  portable computers of all the delegates in a large meeting room to enable them share files or information.  (see Wireless PANs). Broadband Broadband Services is a generic term to describe high-speed wireline and fibre-optic data services are able to transmit multiple information formats simultaneously at high speeds and deliver reliable digital networking such as xDSL. CAMEL CAMEL (Customised Applications for Mobile Network Enhanced Logic) is the name given to a standard for including mobile IN (Intelligent Network) functions into a GSM system. It is used when roaming between networks and allows the home network to monitor and control calls made by its subscribers and ensures that roaming subscribers have full access to their IN services. (see GSM) CDMA CDMA (Code-Division Multiple Access) is a digital cellular technology which uses spread-spectrum techniques unlike competing systems such as GSM & TDMA  which use TDM. CDPD CDPD (Cellular Digital packet Data) is a nationwide digital  wireless data network built by AT&T, Ameritech, GTE, & BellAtlantic Mobile that overlays the existing circuit-switched cellular network in the USA and currently offers a service  to over 3000 US towns and cities.  cHTML cHTML (compact HTML) is a subset of HTML that is used by the Japanese iMode mobile phone system to code content in wireless devices. It is an alternative to WML: with cHTML, it is easier to convert standard Web pages to iMode than it is to produce WAP pages need to be encoded in WML. (see iMode and WML). Communicator A ‘Communicator’ is the name given to an information centric, mobile device with voice capability. In effect a digital phone and fully featured palmtop in the one unit, the functionality of a Communicator is typically greater than a Smartphone. (see Smartphone). DataTAC DataTAC is Motorola’s communication standard that provides an infrastructure for wireless data communications (up to 19.6 kbs). It transmits data through individual data packets. It is used in the following 9 countries: USA, Canada, Germany, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and Australia. In packet radio, it is the main competitor to Mobitex. (see Mobitex). DCS 1800 DCS (Digital Communications System) is another name for GSM, working on a radio frequency of 1800 MHz. It is also known as GSM 1800 or PCN (see GSM & PCN). DECT Digital European Cordless Telephone DoCoMo DoCoMo (a Japanese word meaning ‘anywhere’) is the name of Japan’s largest mobile service provider which launched its i-mode service in Feb’2000. It is the only network in the world providing its subscribers with continuous mobile access to the Internet. With the current i-mode data transmission running only at 9.6Kbps, DoCoMo is planning to launch its next-generation mobile network based on wideband CDMA (W-CDMA) in Spring 2001 with the aim of supporting speeds of 384Kbps or higher. (see i-Mode) EDGE Enhanced Data rate for GSM Evolution: this builds on the GPRS standard and is the bridge between GPRS and UMTS which will increase the available speed and thereby improve applications such as Internet browsing and e-mail facilities. Edge will allow GSM & TDMA to converge into a global network that provides wireless users a degree of roaming across international and technological boundaries. EDGE, which will be introduced in 2001 at the earliest, promises to provide a threefold improvement to current data rates (up to 384 Kbps) without requiring new network infrastructures and has the potential to enable high multimedia content applications on mobiles. In this way, EDGE will enable operators without a 3G license to compete with 3G networks. Enterprise Gateways Enterprise Gateways are WAP gateways designed for enterprise customers. They are used more widely in Europe where many companies, especially those handling financial transactions, are concerned about end-to-end security and controlling users. Providers of Enterprise gateways include Nokia and Infinite Technologies. (see Enterprise Gateways). EPOC EPOC is a Symbian’s  operating system for handheld devices including PDA’s. Symbian was originally a software division in Psion which was spun off to support EPOC as an independent entity. EPOC 32 is a newer 32-bit version of the operating system which competes with Windows CE in the growing PDA market. EPOC can handle WAP, support Bluetooth and can use Java. ETSI ETSI (the European Telecommunications Standards Institute) is a non-profit making organisation that unites nearly 700 members from 50 countries inside and outside Europe with the aim of developing telecommunications standards and documentation. In October 1999, ETSI and the WAP Forum signed a co-operation agreement to drive interoperability of standards for wireless mobile Internet. FMC FMC is an acronym that has been coined to refer to fixed and mobile convergence, a goal which many operators and service providers are seeking to realise. Technological advancements in mobile networks, with improvements in terms of quality, coverage and capacity, have enabled the mobile operators to target fixed line voice traffic. It has enabled vendors to develop convergence infrastructure that supports the seamless running of services across fixed and mobile networks as well as infrastructure that supports the operators’ move towards a fully integrated platform for fixed and mobile service provision. FMC represents a major shift in the way in which carriers operate from technology to a market focus. GPRS GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) is a packet-based data transmission technology for GSM networks aimed at improving the speed of the current mobile networks by providing data transfer rates initially of up to 115 Kbps. It is expected to appear in some networks during 2000. GPRS promises to support flexible data transmission rates typically up to 20 or 30 Kbps (with a theoretical maximum of 171.2 Kbps) as well as continuous connection to the network ( which means that it allows mobile phone connection to the network at all times but uses the network by sending small packets of information as and when required). This makes it ideal for intermittent requirements such as Internet browsing, WAP sessions and email. GPRS represents a 2.5G enhancement to GSM and, in needing a similar business model and service and network architectures, represents a  significant step to 3G.   GPS GPS is an acronym for ‘Global Positioning by Satellite’; GPS provides 3G (third generation) wireless communications and precision infrastructure. (see 3G) GSM GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) is a TDM-based mobile communications system adopted by almost all of the wireless operators in Europe & the Middle East. Originally defined as a pan-European open standard to support voice, data, text messaging and cross border roaming, it has become one world’s main 2G digital wireless standards. Although it is has become the de facto telephone standard in Europe and is present  in more than 140 countries, it has not been embraced universally, particularly in the USA. GSM is implemented on 900, 1800 and 1900 MHz frequency bands (see PCN & DCS 1800). HDML HDML is an acronym for Handheld Device Markup Language. It is used to format content for web-enabled mobile phones. It is Phone.com’s (formerly Unwired Planet) proprietary language which, having originated prior to the creation of the WAP standard, can only be viewed on mobile phones using phone.com browsers: it uses Phone.com’s HDTP (Handheld Device Transport Protocol) instead of WAP. HDML and the phone.com gateway are most popular throughout North America whereas WML and the WAP gateway are the emerging standard in Europe. Some versions of phone.com’s browsers do, however, have the ability to interpret basic WML. (see WML). HLR HLR is an acronym for Home Location Register. It is a real-time database platform for mobile telecommunication networks. Its subscriber-related data provides cellular and wireless carriers with real-time capabilities for roamer validation and seamless roaming which can transparently route calls to subscribers regardless of of location. HomeRF Refers to the HomeRF specification being developed by the HomeRF Working Group (HRFWG). HomeRF is a standard for inexpensive wireless (RF voice and data) communication in the home. Based on SWAP (Shared Wireless Access Protocol), it provides for wireless Ethernet data transmissions of up to 800 Kbps. Although its data rate brings it close to Bluetooth,  HomeRF does not currently have the same level of backing.  The aim of SWAP is to enable interoperability between the many different consumer electronic devices and to provide the flexibility and mobility of a wireless solution. HSCSD HSCSD (High Speed Circuit Switched Data), which first began to appear in some networks in 1999, is dedicated circuit-switched communications technology that extends the current GSM systems by boosting  data throughput.  Available in most cases to network operators as a pure software upgrade, HSCSD is cost efficient to implement. IEEE 802.11 An IEEE specification for wireless network transmission based on direct and frequency hopping, SST, and infrared at transmission speeds from 1-4 Mbps. IMT-2000 IMT-2000 (International Mobile Telecommunications-2000) is a term applied by the ITU to the specification for projected 3G wireless services. It was formerly referred to as FPLMTS (Future Public Land-Mobile Telephone Systems). i-Mode i-Mode is a proprietary packet-based information service for mobile phones that delivers information (such as mobile banking details) to mobile phones and enables the exchange of e-mail from mobile handsets on the PDC-P network. i-Mode was launched in Japan by NTT DoCoMo in 1999; although it has become very popular in Japan, especially for email and transfer of icons, it is not yet being used elsewhere.  (see DoCoMo and PDC). IrDA IrDA refers to the IrDA’s (Infrared Data Association) suite of protocols for Infrared (IR) exchange of data between 2 devices up to 1 or 2m apart, or even less for low-power IrDA devices. (see Wireless PAN’s) JavaPhone JavaPhone is a JAVA API specification that is intended specifically for the programmability requirements of Smartphones and Communicators. JTAPI JTAPI (Java Telephony API) is part of the JavaPhone API; it is an extensible API that provides an interface to all call control services. LDMS acronym for Local Multi-Point Distribution Services m-commerce acronym for mobile commerce MExE MExE (Mobile Station Application Execution Environment) is a framework that ensures a predictable environment for third-party applications in GSM or UMTS handsets (ie the Mobile Station). It does this by defining different ‘classmarks’ in order to define different technology requirements. At present, MExE classmark 1 is based on WAP, MExE classmark 2 is based on PersonalJava and JavaPhone.Handsets are able to support any number of classmarks. MIP MIP is an acronym for Mobile Internet Provider. MIP’s are service providers dedicated to the provision of wireless Internet services. MMDS MMDS (Multipoint Multichannel Distribution Services) is a fixed wireless technology that is emerging as an alternative for Broadband Internet access. Used originally in North America to provide cable TV services, it is now being introduced by service providers as a means of offering their customers broadband data and voice access. MMM acronym for Mobile Media Mode Mobitex Mobitex is a worldwide de-facto standard for dedicated mobile data which is suited to the communication of short messages. Developed by Ericsson as a data-only radio cellular network operating at around 7200 bps, Mobitex networks are based on packet-switched technology and their basic functionality is provided by a number of base stations (BAS) and one or more switches (MX). There are 29 Mobitex networks around the world in 22 countries and 6 continents. In packet-radio, its main competitor is DataTAC. (see DataTAC). MSC MSC is an acronym for Mobile Switching Center OBEX OBEX (Object Exchange) is a set of high-level protocols that allow objects such as vCard contact information to be exchanged using either IrDA (IrOBEX) or Bluetooth.  OTA OTA is an acronym for Over-the-Air, which is a method that is used to manage applications remotely on a subscriber handset. OTP OTP  is an acronym for One Time Password Authentication. PCN PCN (Personal Communications Network) is another name for GSM working on a radio frequency of 1800 MHz. It is also known as GSM 1800 and DCS 1800. (see GSM & DCS 1800). PCS PCS( Personal Communications Service) is a generic term used in America to refer to a mass market phone service that emphasises personal communication independent of enabling technology. It includes digital cellular technologies such as GSM 1900 & CDMA. PDA Personal Digital Assistant - a personal organiser with email and Internet facilities PDC PDC (Personal Digtital Cellular) refers to the 2G TDMA-based protocols currently used only in Japan by NTT DoCoMo. PDC is being rapidly replaced with CDMA to in order to alleviate overcrowding of PDC bandwidth. Personal Java Personal Java is a Java platform that is optimised for the requirements and constraints of mobile devices. RFID tags RFID (radio frequency identification) tags are essentially electronic replacements for the barcode that are capable of easily updating and changing the information they store. This capability should open up a wide range of applications for retailers and suppliers that will significantly improve the efficiency of the supply chain. The RFID tag is essentially a computer chip attached to a radio transponder. It can contain information on the origin of the product, when it was manufactured, its serial number, date of purchase and can also record information on the buyer, their credit card details and the person who sold it. Roaming Roaming is the ability to access a network anywhere and move freely while maintaining an active link through a wireless connection to a network. PQA PQA (Palm Query Application) is an application that is used in Web clipping, a technique introduced by Palm, Inc,  to provide highly structured access to a Web site with which the PQA is  permanently associated. The PQA resides in a user’s wireless device (Palm VII) and works in assocation with a server side application. The PQA, which is written in a ‘compiled’ form of a restricted subset of HTML, goes out an takes a clipping of the Web-site with which it is associated. (see Web Clipping). ReFLEX ReFLEX is a protocol developed by Motorola for short data messaging. Smartphone A smartphone is the generic name given to digital phones on wireless networks which have the capability to browse the Internet and send and receive email, SMS and faxes. (see Communicator). SMSC SMSC is an acronym for Short Message Service Center. SMSC software is now being extended by many vendors, such as Lucent, to provide a wireless data transport method for WAP to enable service providers to host browser-based wireless and mobile Internet services. SMS SMS (Short Message Service) is a service available on digital GSM networks that allows text messages of up to 160 characters to be sent and received via the  network operator's message centre to a mobile phone, or from the Internet,  using a so-called "SMS gateway" website. SyncML SyncML (Synchronisation Markup Language) is the result of an industry-wide effort set up by the SyncML consortium (including IBM, Nokia & Psion) to create a single, common data synchronisation protocol optimised for wireless networks.  TDMA TDMA (Time-Division Multiple Access) is a mobile communications system standard which has a market share in countries where GSM has not been adopted such as the USA. UA UA is an acronym for User Agent, another name for a WAP device or microbrowser that interprets content coded in formats such as WML, WMLScript, HTML, HDML etc. UMTS UMTS (Universal Mobile Telephone System) is the name of the mobile networks which will replace the current GSM systems. Also known as 3rd Generation or 3G, this technology will support a theoretical data throughput of up to 2 MBps and will allow full multimedia content such as TV, Internet and video-conferencing on mobile phones. As part of the IMT-2000 initiative, it will be available commercially first in Japan in 2001 and should be rolled out in most of the world by 2005. VoxML VoxML (Voice Markup Language) is an XML-based markup language created by Motorola that encodes Web-site information so that it can be read over the telephone. It works much like HTML but with voice commands and voice recognition. Motorola hopes that VoxML becomes an industry standard in the same way that HTML has become for Internet data content. WAE WAE (Wireless Application Environment) is one of the 5 main layers of the WAP architecture. It is a general purpose application environment based on a combination of WWW and mobile telephony technologies. WAE was developed primarily to provide an interoperable environment that allowed operators and service providers to build applications and services capable of efficiently reaching a wide variety of different wireless platforms. WAP WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) is an open, global standard for transforming and transmitting Web data for the small screens of wireless devices such as mobile phones, PDA’s & WID’s.  It is a communications protocol and application environment that can be built on any operating system including EPOC, PalmOS, FLEXOS and JavaOS. It was conceived by 4 companies (Motorola, Ericsson, Nokia & Phone.com). Whereas MExE is only a GSM and UMTS standard, WAP is being designed for all cellular standards: the WAP specification supports most wireless network services and protocols, including GSM, PDC, TDMA, CDMA, FLEX, ReFLEX, iDEN, TETRA, DECT, DataTAC and Mobitex and is supported by major worldwide wireless leaders such as AT&T Wireless and NTT DoCoMo. WAP uses an XML-compliant markup language called WML (Wireless markup Language) to permit interoperability between hand-held wireless devices. WAP v1.2 WAP v1.2 is the latest version, providing WAP Push Architecture in order to enhance wireless telephony application. WAP Architecture The WAP Architecture comprises of 5 main layers which provide a standard for WAP application developers and network operators to build their applications and services and ensure that these are interoperable in a wireless mobile environment. (see WAP, WAE, WDP, WSP, WTP & WTLS). WAP device A WAP device, also known as a UA (user agent) is a device that interprets content coded in formats such as WML, WMLScript, HTML, HDML etc. WAP Forum The WAP Forum is an industry association, currently comprising over 500 members, that has developed the de-facto world standard for wireless information and telephony services on digital mobile phones and other wireless terminals such as pagers & PDA’s. Its primary goal is ‘to bring together companies from all segments of the wireless industry value chain to ensure product interoperability and growth of wireless market.’’ WAP Gateways The WAP gateway is a critical piece of infrastructure equipment that handles protocol conversion between the wired and wireless Internet worlds. Sitting in the middle, with the WAP device on one side and the WAP server on the other, the WAP gateway translates every request from the over-the-air protocols to the wireline protocols. Its task is to convert content into a format suitable for a WAP device. Leading players in the WAP gateway market include Phone.com, Nokia and Ericsson. WAP gateways for enterprise customers are known as Enterprise Gateways. (see WAP device and Enterprise Gateways) WAP VAS The emergence of WAP is creating a new channel for both existing and entirely new value-added services (VAS) in an increasing number of areas including banking, travel and entertainment. With the use of WAP enabled devices, users will be able to book pay bills and book concert tickets - the number of these services is set to multiply in the near future. W-CDMA W-CDMA (Wide-band CDMA) is a CDMA protocol that supports very high-speed multimedia services such as full motion video and and video conferencing. First introduced by NTT DoCoMo, it has been subsequently adopted for 3G use by ETSI in Europe. (see DoCoMode, i-Mode & CDMA). WDP WDP (Wireless Datagram Protocol) is one of the 5 main layers of the WAP architecture. It provides port addressing for end-to-end transmission. Web Clipping Web clipping is a technique introduced by Palm, Inc., as a means of overcoming the shortcomings of using wireless devices for accessing the Internet. Web clipping physically separates the static elements (ie presentation) from the dynamic elements (ie content). It manages this though a customised wireless application that is written and deployed in two parts: a Web-based back end which serves the dynamic content; and a Palm Query Application (PQA) which lives on the wireless device itself. The PQA, in effect, goes out and takes a ‘clipping’ from a Web site with which it is permanently associated. As such, Web Clipping is a technique that is optimised for short, highly structured types of transactions such as checking on inventory and pricing or accessing customer care or technical support information from the field. Web clipping helps reduce the costs of wirelss transactions by ensuring that only the information that needs to be updated is sent over the network. Its major disadvantage is that all interactions with a Web site would need to be planned ahead in that introducing a new form, for example, would require the writing and compiling a new version of the PQA that also would need reloading on users devices. (see PQA). WIDs WIDs (Wireless Information Devices) combine voice and computing technology in a portable computer-telephone with wireless access to both voice and information services. They represent the next revolution in mobile communication.  WIN WIN is an acronym for Wireless Intelligent Network. Windows CE Windows CE is a version of the Windows operating system designed for PDA’s and other handheld devices. Wireless PAN’s Wireless PAN’s (Personal Area Networks) are wireless networks that can be installed in the home or a small office within 5-15m distances. There are 2 technologies being used to develop Wireless PANs: firstly, IrDA, which is based on line of sight requirement within two devices; and secondly, Bluetooth which supports multipoint connection without line of sight requirement. (see IrDA and Bluetooth). WISP WAP Internet Service Provider - a company that provides access to WAP content on the Internet W-ASPs Wireless Application Service Providers: Air2Web, Broadbeam (formerly known as Nettech Systems), OmniSky, Snapscape & ViryaNet are examples. WLL WLL (Wireless Local Loop) is a system that connects subscribers to the PSTN using digital radio signals as a substitute for copper for all or part of the connection. By using cellular technology to provide the final link from the telephone network to the subscriber, WLL has the potential to dramatically reduce the cost of connection. Currently there are no definitive WLL standards, leaving vendors with a staggering choice of fixed acess, mobile, and digital cordless technologies. WLL technology is likely to have a considerable impact on the world’s traditional phone market with over 100 million subscribers expected by the end of 2007. (see PSTN) WML WML (Wireless Markup Language) is a variant of HTML that is used to produce WAP pages on the Web.  It is a fully XML-compliant descendant of Unwired Planet’s HDML specification.  As it was developed after HDML, it is more sophisticated than its predecessor and is wholly based on XML.  Now part of the WAP standard, WML is a compact display language that is deidicated to small screens with few press buttons.  (see WAP, HDML and XML). WMLScript WMLScript is a scripting language that can be mixed with WML to provide functionalities in the WAP application like JavaScript in HTML. (see WML) W-NSPs Wireless Network Service Providers: The world’s largest wireless network service provider is AirTouch with some 40 million customers. WSP WSP (Wireless Session Protocol) is one of the 5 main layers of the WAP architecture. It provides a means for the organised exchange of content between cooperating client-server applications. WTLS WTLS (Wireless Transport Layer Security) is one of the 5 main layers of the WAP architecture. As its name implies, it is a security protocol based on the industry standard TLS (Transport Layer Security) protocol known previously as SSL, and provides security services such as authentication and non-repudiation.  WTP WTP (Wireless Transaction Protocol) is one of the 5 main layers of the WAP architecture. It is a lightweight transaction oriented protocol that is suitable for implementation in ‘thin clients’ (ie mobile stations).

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