Internet on Mobile

ECOM6001_ Assignment 2_081208 Page 1 of 11

1. Introduction

Today, mobile phone and tablet seems like fashion accessories in our lives. Huge

popularity of mobile phones and tablets, those drives mobile technology developed in

very fast speed. Actually, it has made a great impact on business world. This kind

easy and connective device also extended to our social life, lots of innovative mobile

apps it makes life easier and efficient such as mobile payment, location map, dining

spot search, taxi call ….. etc. Six years ago, Internet on Mobile was just begun,

together with mobile service networks; users can access the mobile webpage to see

the real time news, finance, music and entertainment channels.

2. Abstract

This paper is one coursework of Masters of Science programme in 2008, it was

regarding the Web on mobile device, and how did people access the infotainment on

mobile phone and using mobile services for their business and personal life. This

was interesting topic because mobile devices are much closed to our daily lives; we

most of time using it for voice communication with people. Web browsing is a kind

of information access on the web, some major mobile operators in Hong Kong

provides entertainment programs on mobile phones and called it as Infotainment. In

the paper, it would mention what the components available to deliver the Web features

on handsets and the telecommunication companies how to deliver their service and

contents to subscribers. The other objective of this paper is to realize what the

reasons of people likely to possess more than one mobile handset and subscribed

more than one mobile phone number.

Keywords : Web, WAP, i-Mode, Smart Phone

3. Internet on Mobile

3.1 What is Web ?

Web is a subset of the computers on the Internet that are connected computers and

their contents and makes it easily accessible to each other in a specific way. Web

includes an easy-to-use standard interface; it makes people even though not computer

experts can easily to access a variety of Internet resources [1] such as worldwide latest

news, webmail, information search, via an adequate screen size monitor together with

fast processor and connection speed.

[1]

Electronic Commerce, Gary P Schneider p27


In the beginning, Internet just for scientists or academic researchers, due to lots of

benefits on the Internet, it became one of the most popular technological and social

communication media and used rapidly as began from 1990. [2] As the web-surfing

dramatically as a part of life, people desire on making the web-surfing in movable

way in order to access Internet anywhere. WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) has

been launched by the leading telecommunication company i.e.Vodafone from 2000 to

enable handsets features as new service to customers.

3.2 What is WAP ?

WAP is in fact a protocol suite specifying the format of the content that can be

delivered from Web servers to the mobile devices. The WAP standard describes a

protocol suite that allows the interoperability of WAP equipment and software with

many different network technologies such as GSM and CDMS networks. WAP

protocol suite including [4]: -

Wireless Datagram Protocol (WDP)

One protocol in WAP architecture, covers the transport layer protocols in the

Internet model.

As general transport service, WDP offers a consistent service to the upper layer

protocols and communicating transparently over one of the available underlying

bearer services.

Processes datagrams from upper layers to formats required by different physical

datapaths, bearers, that may be GSM SMS or CDMA Packet Data.

In consequence of the interface common to transport protocols, the upper layer

protocols of the WAP architecture can operate independent of the underlying

wireless network.

Wireless Transport Layer Security (WTLS)

Provides a public-key cryptography-based security mechanism similar to TLS.

Allows negotiation of cryptographic suites between client and server.

[2]

Electronic Commerce, Gary P Schneider p29 [4]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_Application_Protocol, access on 30 Nov 08

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_Application_Protocol


Wireless Transaction Protocol (WTP)

One standard used in mobile telephony, that is to bring Internet access to mobile

phones.

It provides functions similar to TCP, except that it has reduced amount of

information needed for each transaction.

It saves processing and memory cost as compared to TCP.

It supports 3 types of transaction : 1. Unreliable One-Way Request 2. Reliable

One-Way Request 3. Unreliable Two-Way request.

Wireless Session Protocol (WSP)

Wireless session is nothing but a normal Web browsing session that starts when

the user connects to one URL and ends when the user leaves that URL. The

session establishing process will not have lengthy hand shaking mechanisms.

WSP provides the upper- level application layer of WAP with a consistent

interface for two session services.

Connection-oriented service that operates above a transaction layer protocol

WTP.

Connectionless service that operates above a secure or non-secure datagram

transport service.

In the connection-mode it enhances the HTTP 1.1's performance over wireless

environment. It also provides a session layer so the whole WAP environment

resembles ISO OSI Reference Model.

Wireless Application Environment (WAE)

Consists of two parts: protocols (includes WSP, WTP, WDP) and content

(WML).

Web server only speaks HTTP, WAE uses a gateway to translate between WAP

and HTTP.

WAP 1.X – the primary language of the WAE is WML which has been designed

from scratch for handheld device with phone-specific features.

WAP 2.0 – the primary markup language is XHTML Mobile Profile.


3.3 Why WAP ?

WAP is an open, global specification that empowers mobile users with wireless

devices to easily access and interact with information and services instantly. It is

designed to work with most wireless networks such as CDPD, CDMA, GSM, PDC,

PHS, TDMA, FLEX, ReFLEX, iDEN, TETRA, DECT, ataTAC and GRPS.[5]

WAP is to show internet contents on wireless clients like mobile phones, it’s fit into a

small wireless terminal. WAP uses a Micro Browser, it

is a small piece of software that makes minimal

demands on hardware, memory and CPU. It can

display information by WML (Wireless Markup

Language), it is inherited from HTML and based on

XML. WML is used to create pages that can be

displayed in a WAP browser. Pages in WML are called DECKS. Decks are

constructed as a set of CARDS. Micro Browser can also interpret a reduced version

of JavaScript called WMLScript, it is a light JavaScript language and runs simple

code on the browser.

Advantage of WAP

WAP will benefit end-users with easy, secure access to relevant internet

information and services like unified messaging to access email account, banking,

entertainment etc.

Users will be able to retrieve information in a controlled, fast and low-cost

environment.

Disadvantage of WAP : -

WAP site browser screen is too small on mobile device.

Limitation on mobile device such as large amounts of data, especially graphics

and animations are not allowed.

Not enough applications of WAP device, it’s features only for using 2G wireless

network. The bandwidth is unable to best uses of the network resource and takes

a longer time to access the WAP site.

[5]

http://www.wapforum.org/what/index.htm, access on 29 Nov 08

http://www.wapforum.org/what/index.htm


3.4 What is i-Mode ?

There’re some other protocols like i-Mode for delivering web contents to mobile

devices while WAP is one common communication protocol specially tailored for

mobile devices. i-Mode is a wireless internet service popular in Japan and launched

in 1999. Unlike WAP, i-Mode encompasses a wider variety of internet standards

including web access, email and the packet-switched network that delivers the data to

mobile device. Users can access to various services such as e-mail, sports results,

weather forecast, games, financial services and ticket booking. Content is provided by

specialized mobile carrier as like NTT DoCoMo, which allows them to have tighter

control over billing.[6]

In addition, i-Mode consists of three technologies: a smart handset, a new

transmission protocol and a new markup language. Code Division Multiple Access

(CDMA) is the transmission protocol of i-Mode that enables several subscribers to

use the same line at once, so that user can quickly and continuous access to the

Internet. i-Mode’s transmission speed is 9.6Kbps (bit per second), it may

insufficient for download video, but appropriate for short email and simple graphics.

i-Mode adopted C-HTML (compact HTML) as its markup language to focus on text

and simple graphics. Since a mobile phone has a small display with touch button

manipulation, it requires a special markup language to display data. There have two

major ways to meet this needs : C-HTML and WAP. Website operators can easily

convert an existing Web page to C-HTML while WAP is an international standard

language.

3.5 What is Smart Phone ?

Due to the continuous development of mobile devices technology, Smartphone like

iPhone and Blackberry both have been launched to overcome the limitation of WAP

and i-Mode and enhance the functional capability. For instance, HTML is a bit too

complex or too large to be fit in a mobile device, however, the browsers in newer

handsets, like iPhones can actually interpret most of the HTML pages. Smartphone

is now equivalent to a low-end PC, it has 100 MHz processor many megabytes of

flash memory and a colour display with a graphical user interface. These

smartphones enable users to browse the Net with a touch of button.

[6]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I-mode, access on 30 Nov 08

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I-mode


The iPhone is an internet-connected multimedia smartphone designed and marketed

by Apple Inc. with a flush multi-touch colour LCD screen and a minimal hardware

interface. The device does not have a physical keyboard, so a virtual keyboard is

rendered on the touch screen. The iPhone's functions include those of a camera phone

and portable media player (equivalent to the iPod) in addition to text messaging and

visual voicemail. It also offers Internet services including email, web browsing and

local WiFi connectivity. The first generation phone hardware was quad-band GSM

with EDGE; the second generation also adds UMTS with HSDPA. Apple introduced

iPhone in United States on June 2007. [8]

BlackBerry is support full featured Email capabilities with the functionality of a

complete personal organizer. It’s include an additional interface such as a miniature

QWERTY keyboard, a touch screen or a D-pad, contact management, an

accelerometer, built- in navigation hardware and software, the ability to read business

documents in a variety of formats such as PDF and Microsoft Office. As well as

media software for playing music, browsing photos and viewing video clips, internet

browsers or even just secure access to company mail. One common feature to the

majority of the smartphones is a contact list able to store as many contacts as the

available memory permits.[9]

Smart Phone is a state-of-the-art mobile device offering advanced capabilities beyond

a typical mobile phone, often with PC like functionality. It runs complete operating

system software providing a standardized interface and platform to allow software to

be installed.

[8]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iphone, access on 2 Dec 08 [9]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smartphone, access on 30 Nov 08

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iphone

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smartphone


3.6 Major mobile network operators and services in Hong Kong

As a Hi-Tech city, Hong Kong has 9.92 million mobile phone subscribers in 6.9

million populations; Hong Kong’s 2.5G mobile phone subscribers around 2.91 million,

3G subscribers around 2.38 million[11] as well as other subscribers (prepaid

subscribers), it was around 5.14 million as of July 2008.

Combined with various information about Hong Kong Mobile Operators, some rough

figures of subscribers have been collected as follows : -

Mobile Phone Subscriber in Hong Kong

35%

27%

14%

14%

10% 3 Hong Kong

CSL 1010

Smartone Vadafone

PCCW/Sunday

People Telecom

Mobile Phone Operator Subscribers

3 Hong Kong 2,657,000

CSL 1010 2,100,000

SmarTone-Vodafone 1,118,000

PCCW/Sunday 1,071,000

People Telecom 800,000

Currently, 2.5G and 3G wireless mobile devices are widely using in Hong Kong,

iPhone is popular progressively while Blackberry being adopted by business traveler

mostly across Mainland and Hong Kong. All such of mobile services provided by

some leading network operators such as 3 Hong Kong/Hutchison Telecom, CSL 1010,

and SmarTone-Vodafone in Hong Kong. Followings are some information about

these operators and services.

[11]

http://wirelessfederation.com/news/index.php?s=2.5g+subscriber+in+hong+kong , access on

3 Dec 08

http://wirelessfederation.com/news/index.php?s=2.5g+subscriber+in+hong+kong


3.6.1.

Hutchison Telecom mainly operates of mobile services, telecom retail services and

call centre services in Hong Kong and Macau. For its mobile services in Hong Kong

and Macau, the Company's strategic investor is NTT DoCoMo which owns about

24.1% stake.

Hutchison Telecom Hong Kong started mobile business in 1983 deploying

multiple mobile technologies in Hong Kong, including 2G GSM, 2.5G

GPRS/IS95B and 3G UMTS video mobile communication services. Hutchison

Telecom Hong Kong is the first operator in Hong Kong to roll out 3G service under

the “3” brand name in January 2004. It currently one of the largest mobile operators

in Hong Kong, providing superior 3G, GSM Dualband services and GPRS roaming

coverage for over two million subscribers. [12]

iPhone

3 Hong Kong is the first mobile carrier or operator in Hong Kong to introduce and

launch 3G iPhone in Hong Kong from July 2008. 3G iPhone combines three

products into one small handy device - a revolutionary mobile phone deploying

high-speed 3G wireless technology, a widescreen iPod, and the Internet in user’s

pocket with the best applications supporting emails in rich HTML format and a

desktop-class web browser.[13]

The iPhone Tariff Plan comes at a minimum of 500MB data usage, unlimited intra

SMS and abundant multimedia and text content usage. 3 HK provides 3G network

coverage in the ultra-high speed HSDPA/HSPA up to 7.2Mbps to let iPhone 3G users

enjoy the full online excitement. Subscribers can freely enjoy the power of mobile

internet. 3 offers a rich portfolio of ground-breaking video mobile communication

services, including video calling, video streaming, video messaging, news, financial

updates, sports and football highlights, remote surveillance, traffic condition viewing,

weather reports, movie previews, music and location-based services. The widescreen

display of iPhone presents a unique experience for users while enjoying the richest

infotainment available only on Planet 3.

[12]

http://www.three.com.hk/website/template?pageid=22000&lang=eng, access on 30 Nov 08 [13]

http://iphone.three.com.hk/website/en/home.html, access on 30 Nov 08

http://www.three.com.hk/website/template?pageid=22000&lang=eng

http://iphone.three.com.hk/website/en/home.html


BlackBerry

Unlike iPhone, Blackberry is DUALBAND-GPRS (General

Packet Radio Service) data transmission service "push"

technology, there is no need to retrieve the email client on and

off because the BlackBerry devices are designed to remain

switched on and connected to the wireless network at all time so

that email can be delivered to the email box instantly.

Blackberry is benefit for frequent business travellers easily

access to incoming emails and return emails.

Other than email service, 3 HK BlackBerry also provides the service as follows : -

1. Real time global news is to provide latest worldwide news to subscribers

2. Financial news by Dow Jones

3. Fax service to BlackBerry gets fax message anytime

4. Yahoo! Messenger on BlackBerry, it can be easier than ever to real time chat

with others.

3.6.2.

SmarTone-Vodafone is a Partner Network of Vodafone

Group Plc., it’s a world leading mobile

telecommunication company. SmarTone Telecomunications

Holdings Ltd is the holding company was established in 1992 and

specialized in mobile phone, fixed- line and broadband markets in

Hong Kong. [16]

With its advanced technology, Internet on Mobile, subscribers

can freely access the webpages and its contents as they are on PC.

[16]

http://www.smartone-vodafone.com/jsp/about/company/facts/english/index.jsp, access on 6 Dec 08

http://www.smartone-vodafone.com/jsp/about/company/facts/english/index.jsp


The new BlackBerry Bold from Vodafone

The Key Features : 3G/HSDPA/WiFi

Network & Roaming : HSDPA 3.6Mbps

WCDMA

GSM & Quadband

Support to Vodafone : FoneTV

Mobile Market Watch

Internet on Mobile

Due to the Vodafone widespread 3G/HSDPA networks around the world, it enhances

the reliability of mobile device.

3.6.3

1O1O, the brand of CSL, was launched in 1993. They best have known

for its networks and premium customer services. To make easier for

customers to manage both their personal and professional lives, 1O1O introduced a

series of 3G Infotainment Channels where everything customer want and need is

intelligently organized under the News, Finance, Horse Racing, Football, Music and

Entertainment Channels etc, enabling customers to enjoy the highest quality

infotainment services.

New Samsung Anycall Pixon M8800H 3G Phone

Features : 3.2” TFT Display and full touch

Handwriting recognition

Support : WAP browsing, MMS, POP3 &

IMAP4 email client

Network : WCDMA (3G)

GSM (2G) – 850/900/1800/1900

Connectivity : HSDPA 72Mbps

EDGE Up to 236.8Kbps

GPRS Up to 53.6Kbps

Entertainment : News, Finance info,

Lifestyle Channel, Horse Racing,

Football, Music Download


4. Conclusion

According to such findings, we can understand that mobile phone and related devices

already merged into our lives, we seems living with advanced information technology

and ready transit to a “High Speed Information Era”.

Due to stable telecommunication networks and infrastructure, people can easily

connect with worldwide and get the information anywhere. It may motivate the

people possess more than one mobile phone for individual wants or new model

replacement.

Furthermore, Smart Phone already a trend worldwide, most leading mobile phone

manufacturer likely to produce customizing mobile phones into big screen with

mobile computing and wireless technology to combine personal and business features

to fits the end user’s needs and lifestyle.