What is Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)?


WAP is a collection of communication protocols meant to standardise how wireless devices, such as mobile phones and radio transceivers, may access the Internet and its services, such as email and newsgroups. Prior to the advent of WAP, Internet connection was available, but various manufacturers utilised different technologies; WAP promised compatibility across these technologies.

WAP was created in 1997 at the WAP Forum by Ericsson, Motorola, Nokia, and Unwired Planet (now Phone.com). The WAP Forum was renamed the Open Mobile Alliance in 2002. (OMA).

Operation of the WAP

WAP is an acronym for a collection of protocols. WAP hardware, such as WAP-enabled web browsers and network technologies, and WAP software, such as WAP-enabled web browsers, are designed to be compatible with this standard. These standards enhance mobile experiences that were previously limited by the capabilities of portable devices and wireless networks. WAP does this through the use of the following methods −

  • Extensible Markup Language (XML), user datagram protocol (UDP), and Internet Protocol (IP) are efficient for wireless settings and are based on standards such as HTML, HTTP; the WML format for pages that may be sent via WAP.

  • The WAP paradigm works in the same way as the traditional client-server model, but an additional WAP gateway acts as a middleman between the client and the server. This gateway transforms a micro browser’s WAP device request into an HTTP URL request and sends it across the internet to the server. When the server answers, the WAP gateway analyses the response and sends the webpage as a WML file compatible with micro browsers to the WAP mobile device.

The Protocol Stack for WAP

Here's a breakdown of the WAP standard's protocol stack that allows WAP devices to communicate with each other.

  • In addition to WAE, WTP (Wireless Transaction Protocol) provides transaction functionality for server requests and answers.

  • In order to protect privacy and data integrity, WTLS uses public-key cryptography.

  • Wireless Datagram Protocol (WDP)− This protocol describes how data travels from the receiver to the sender and vice versa.

Why Would You Want to Use WAP?

WAP offered benefits to wireless network operators, content providers, and end-users when it was first presented in 1999.

  • WAP was intended to improve existing wireless data services like voicemail while also allowing developers to create new mobile apps. These applications may be set up without the need for extra infrastructure or phone updates.

  • WAP provides a market for third-party app developers to create new apps and mobile phone features. WML application development is introduced as an alternative programming language that allows developers to build effective mobile device apps.

Updated on: 28-Oct-2021

1K+ Views

Kickstart Your Career

Get certified by completing the course

Get Started
Advertisements