Despite its slow start in
Western Europe, WAP will take off and soar to well over 200 million
users by 2004, according to a report published by Cahners In-Stat
Group.
Driving Factors
One of the drivers behind WAP’s accelerated growth will be the
adoption of GPRS technology. With the launch of 2.5G networks, users
will not be plagued with slow connection time and download, inherent
in the early WAP services.
The authors of the report predict the merging of WML and compact
HTML into a new standard based on xHTML will help increase the
adoption of wireless Internet services. "Developers will have
only one standard to write for, spawning a plethora of new
applications," say Becky Diercks, director of In-Stat’s
Wireless Group.
Additional Findings
- The greatest number of WAP users was in Germany, with a total
of 1.25 million
- High Speed Circuit Switched Data (HSCSD) will remain a small
niche sector of the market, attracting mainly corporate
customers
- Carriers fear that the limited availability of 3G handsets may
prolong the viability of 2.5G
In-Stat’s comprehensive report, entitled ‘WAP is Dead! Long
Live WAP! and 2.5G Services in Western Europe,’ also includes a
market analysis of wireless data protocols, new wireless data
developments in Western Europe, and a schedule of WAP services
launches.
For more information: http://www.instat.com/pr/2001/md0102sv_pr.htm
