Architecture for Wireless Application Protocol Published on the World Wide Web

One broad, global solution for existing and future Value Added Services in wireless networks

(September 16, 1997) -- Ericsson, Motorola, Nokia and Unwired Planet introduced today the architecture of the Wireless Application Protocol for public review and comments on the World Wide Web. This announcement follows the initiative the four industry partners made on June 26 of this year.

The Wireless Application Protocol is currently at the architecture phase. The protocol will include specifications for transport and session layers as well as security features. Over and above these network layers, the protocol will define an application environment including a microbrowser, scripting, telephony value-added services and content formats. The Wireless Application Protocol will be scaleable so applications are able to make the best use of available display and network data transport capabilities across a broad range of terminal types. Services can be created from single-line text displays in standard digital mobile phones to highly sophisticated smart phone displays.

The specification will be available on the new web site which also contains other essential information, such as the future development of the specification. The Wireless Application Protocol web site is also a forum for other industry partners to join in to further develop and provide feedback on the protocol.

The purpose of the Wireless Application Protocol is to provide operators, infrastructure and terminal manufacturers, and content developers a common environment that will enable development of value-added services for mobile phones. The four founding members aim to create, together with other industry partners, a global wireless service specification to be adopted by appropriate standards bodies and will be independent of the network infrastructure system in place. All the applications of the protocol will be scaleable regardless of transport options and device types.

The Wireless Application Protocol is targeted to bring advanced services and Internet content to digital cellular phones and terminals. A common standard means the potential for realizing economies of scale, encouraging cellular phone manufacturers to invest in developing compatible products, and cellular network carriers to develop new differentiated service offerings as a way attracting new subscribers. Consumers benefit through more and varied choice in advanced mobile communications applications and services.

Ericsson’s 90 000 employees are active in more than 130 countries. Their combined expertise in fixed and mobile networks, mobile phones and infocom systems makes Ericsson the world-leading supplier in telecommunications. Find out about Ericsson on the Web: http://www.ericsson.com.

Motorola is one of the world's leading providers of wireless communications, semiconductors, and advanced electronic systems, components, and services. Major equipment businesses include cellular telephone, two-way radio, paging and data communications, personal communications, automotive, defence and space electronics and computers. Motorola semiconductors power communication devices, computers and millions of other products. Motorola's 1996 sales were $28 billion. For more information, visit Motorola at http://www.motorola.com.

Headquartered in Finland, Nokia is a leader in digital technologies including mobile phones, cellular and fixed telecommunications networks, wireless data solutions and multimedia terminals. With sales in approximately 130 countries, net sales totalled FIM 39.3 billion (8.5 billion USD) in 1996. Nokia employs more than 34,000 people in 45 countries. Nokia’s shares are listed in Helsinki, New York, London, Stockholm, Frankfurt and Paris. Visit Nokia on the web: http://www.nokia.com.

Unwired PlanetTM (UP) is a leading provider of open scaleable software platforms for secure wireless Internet and intranet access from mass-market handheld devices, such as mobile phones and PDAs. UP technology is network-and device-independent and has been adopted by the world-wide leaders in telecommunications. For more information, visit Unwired Planet's Web site at http://www.uplanet.com/.®