Bouygues Telecom signed an i-mode™ licensing agreement with the Japanese operator NttDoCoMo to provide new mobile services and multimédia content in France. I-mode™ is a mobile service that uses a quality GPRS network for high-speed communication, including email, image transfers, wallpaper downloads, weather forecasts, financial services, news, hotel réservations, games and more, all in color and in an environment similar to the Internet. I-mode™ is simple and accessible to all.
To access the range of i-mode™ services, you must have an i-mode™ mobile phone from Bouygues Telecom. The Bouygues Telecom i-mode™ plan provides access to 9 service categories. A fee is charged for some services, while many others are free, including the Accorhotels.com service.
To access WAP services, you need a mobile phone that’s WAP compatible (most mobile phones on the market today are equipped with WAP functions) and a contract with a cellular provider (such as with Bouygues Telecom or SFR)). If you already have a contract with a provider, all you have to do is change phones. Or you can purchase a WAP pack, which includes* a subscription as well as a connection device that fits your phone.
To access WAP services, you need a mobile phone that’s WAP compatible (most mobile phones on the market today are equipped with WAP functions) and a contract with a cellular provider (such as with Bouygues Telecom or SFR)). If you already have a contract with a provider, all you have to do is change phones. Or you can purchase a WAP pack, which includes* a subscription as well as a connection device that fits your phone.
*Depending on billing conditions applied by your service provider.
Currently, WAP is made available via the existing GSM network (Global System for Mobile Communication), the same way it’s used on your mobile phone. However, WAP will be switching to the GPRS network (General Packet Radio System), offering permanent Internet connections and more flexibility for end users. For example, billing will now be based on the size of files being transferred, not the time it takes. This changeover will also lower communication costs and simplify user access. But WAP won’t stop there! The GPRS standard merely provides a transitional platform from GSM to UMTS (Universal Mobile Telephone System), which will entail updating mobile devices to make them compatible with GPRS.
And then tomorrow… The UMTS standard will replace GPRS, allowing users to benefit from enhanced broadband performance. Lightning-fast, high-speed access will provide easier transfer of heavy files, such as photos and video content.
A cross between laptops and electronic planners, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) are miniature pocket computers, such as Palm Pilots, Pocket PCs, Handsprings, etc. Using WAP technology, users can access the Internet from these PDAs simply by linking to a WAP mobile phone. But more and more, PDAs are being designed to connect to the Internet without even needing a separate application or device.
