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January 7, 1998
Ericsson, Motorola, Nokia and Unwired Planet (now Phone.com) establish
Wireless Application Protocol Forum Ltd.
Other industry partners and operators can apply for WAP Forum
membership and contribute to the specification work
A new company, Wireless Application Protocol Forum Ltd. (WAP Forum), has been
established by Ericsson, Motorola, Nokia and Unwired Planet (now Phone.com). This
non-profit company will administer the worldwide WAP specification process and facilitate
new companies contributing to WAP specification work.
The Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) is targeted to bring Internet content and
advanced services to digital cellular phones and other wireless terminals. WAP Forum aims
to create a global wireless protocol specification that works across differing wireless
network technology types, for adoption by appropriate industry standards bodies.
Applications using WAP will be scaleable across a variety of transport options and device
types. A common standard offers potential economies of scale, encouraging cellular phone
and other device manufacturers to invest in developing compatible products. Cellular and
other wireless network carriers and content providers will be able to develop new
differentiated service offerings as a way to attract new subscribers. Consumers will
benefit through more and varied choices in mobile communications applications, advanced
services and Internet access.
In addition to the four founding partners, new members are now welcome to join WAP
Forum. Members may contribute to the current specification work, participate in driving
the continuing evolution of WAP and nominate and elect additional directors to the board
of WAP Forum. In order to become members of WAP Forum, interested companies need to apply
to join. All the details including the application form can be found on the web at www.wapforum.org.
Ericsson, Motorola, Nokia and Unwired Planet (now Phone.com) introduced the
architecture of the Wireless Application Protocol for public review and comments on 15
September 1997. Building on this, the various WAP technical working groups have been
working intensively over the last few months and will make the first complete draft of the
detailed specifications available for review by new members before the end of January
1998.
Ericsson's 100,000 employees are active in more than 130 countries. Their combined
expertise in fixed and mobile networks, mobile phones and infocom systems makes Ericsson a
world-leading supplier in telecommunications. Find out about Ericsson on the web: www.ericsson.se
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 on the web at
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 totaled FIM
39.3 billion ($8.5 billion) in 1996. Nokia employs more than 36,000 people in 45
countries. Nokia's shares are listed in Helsinki, New York, London, Stockholm, Frankfurt
and Paris. Visit Nokia's website at www.nokia.com
Unwired Planet (now Phone.com), headquartered in Silicon Valley, USA, with European
Headquarters in the UK, is a leading supplier of open standards based servers and
microbrowsers to the Wireless industry. Unwired Planet (now Phone.com) provides secure,
vendor-independent solutions which empower wireless handsets and operators with Email,
Organizer, as well as Internet information access applications. Unwired Planet (now
Phone.com)’s products support the GSM, TDMA, CDMA, CDPD, PHS and PDC wireless airlink
standards. Visit the Unwired Planet (now Phone.com) Web Site at www.uplanet.com � or www.uplanet.co.uk
�
TRADEMARKS: All the trademarks, logos, product and company names are property of their
respective owners.
For further information, please contact:
Joakim Nelson, Senior Manager, System Planning
Ericsson Mobile Communications
Tel. +46 46 193 015
Agneta HŒrte-Jacobsson, Press Officer
Ericsson Business Area Mobile Systems
Tel. +46 8 404 5983
Sanjay Jhawar, European Business Manager, Smart Phone and Data Products
Motorola Cellular Subscriber Sector
Tel. +44 1256 790122
Barbara Jankowski, Public Relations Manager
Motorola Cellular Subscriber Sector
Tel. +44 1256 790173
Mikko Terho, Vice President, Wireless Data
Nokia Mobile Phones
Tel. +358 10 505 6868
Eija-Riitta Huovinen, Press Officer
Nokia Mobile Phones
Tel. +358 10 505 6920
Benjamin Linder, Vice President, Marketing
Unwired Planet (now Phone.com)
Tel. +1 650 596 5200
Malcom Bird, Managing Director
Unwired Planet (now Phone.com) Europe
Tel. +44 1707 828 051
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