-----INFORMING YOU OF THE FUTURE OF WAP------ (FORUM: Battle of the Networks)

Member Name: ChrisCooper

Product:	FORUM: Battle of the Networks
Date:	28/12/00 (10 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Instant viewing of all websites, no matter how many pictures on it

Disadvantages: Very expensive, in excess of 50p a minute

When you think of WAP (wireless application protocol), you think of a really slow internet connection via a mobile which cost a bomb. Well, that, in short, is right.

So I am about to inform you who don't already know about GPRS (General Packet Radio Service). It is basically using a high speed modem on a WAP platform using GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) and TDMA (time devision multiple access) operators.

GPRS is just a simplified version of a very advanced technology called EDGE (enhanced data for global evolution). WAP is very slow as a wireless communicator, but GPRS is double as fast, 128k or thereabouts and EDGE is even quicker- it is unknown how fast it will be. However, you will not have to wait for the website to load, it will be as though it is on a cache (saved from a previous viewing ~ stored in a cookie or a temporary internet folder).

You may wonder how I know this, well I have to let you into a little secret, my Dad has just sold the rights for GPRS to BT Cellnet from Nortel Networks so he explained this whole concept to me.

This all was introduced to leading global telephony and wireless operators at the Cannes conference on the 2nd February of this year, but it is not until very recently that, we, the people who may use the service, know about it.

The fact of the matter is, this will be very expensive, and you can't do anything about it. The laws of a new invention is the you copyright every thing about it so that nobody can copy it, and then charge extremely high prices. You will always be able to sell it. Bt Cellnet are going to introduce sometime next year and internet connection will be in excess of 50p a minute. Extortionate isn't it but business's will pay for it unbelieveably!

I hope this may have enlightened you on some of this new age technology. If it hasn't I'm sorry but I have tried, its a difficult concept to grasp; it took me long enough!

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