What is WAP?

A smartphone without internet connectivity seems almost unimaginable in today’s day and age, right? Ever wondered just how you’re able to access the world of the internet from your devices, day in and day out? Well, what started it all, was Wireless Application Protocol (or WAP). Here’s what WAP is, what it does, and why it’s important.

What is WAP and why is it important?

Wireless Application Protocol, or WAP, is essentially a set of rules and standards that enable wireless devices such as smartphones and laptops to browse the internet, access mails, and utilise various other services online. Think of it as the bridge between the internet and mobile devices.

The technology first еmеrgеd in the late 1990s, a time when mobile phones were becoming more common, but their capabilities were far more limited when compared to today’s smartphones. WAP’s introduction allowed these devices to first connect to the internet, albeit with slower spееds and simpler web content.

One of WAP’s defining features is its markup language, WML (Wireless Markup Language). The language is similar to HTLM, which is used for traditional web pages. WML though, is lightweight and designed specifically for mobile devices, and ensures faster load times.

Is WAP still used?

Though revolutionary, WAP still had its limitations. It offered fairly basic functionalities, and not to mention, slow spееds simply because the infrastructure for the fast internet services we enjoy today, was not in place back then. Eventually, faster standards including the likes of 3G, 4G, and now 5G, replaced WAP, offering significantly more enhanced capabilities and higher internet spееds.

ALSO READ: Can I upgrade my 4G mobile phone to 5G?

WAP’s impact on the smartphone industry remains undeniable, however. It was the catalyst for the mobile internet era, and shaped the way we interact with our smartphones, and the world around us today.