This whitepaper by Boris Kuschel provides an introduction to the Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), oriented to the embedded Linux market. Kuschel defines WAP, explains its importance in wireless communication between devices, and discusses the requirements for supporting WAP in Linux based servers and client devices. Kuschel writes . . .

“For many in the Linux community, WAP — the Wireless Application Protocol — leaves a bittersweet taste because of its semi-open nature. The WAP forum is an elitist club for telecommunication giants that requires $27,500 up front and does not promote open discussion about its specifications. Unfortunately, these telecommunication giants control the technical direction of telecommunication carriers which have committed to WAP. While there are other specifications that are open, such as LEAP, it would require both telecommunication hardware manufacturers and carriers to embrace this protocol. A daunting task considering the nature of the wireless data industry today. Besides, the WAP protocols are free to download and free for anybody to implement.”

“In order to make Linux an attractive platform for wireless data networks it must support WAP on the client and server side . . .”

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