Home » Technology » Wireless Internet » What make wireless useful in some places

What make wireless useful in some places

© Wai Seto

Since WAP programs and devices becoming available, I have started to look where are the places that WAP gets popular the fastest. Then I try to understand what the reasons for WAP popularity in these places. I come up with a few reasons, and would like to discuss these here. Tell me what you think by sending me e-mail or use the discussion area.

Public transportation This might seems odd in the first place. Think about this for a second, getting a PC and Internet connection is not difficult today. Most of us have a PC at home and at work. Virtually all wire-based connections are faster than any wireless connections. Therefore, the real target is people who spend a lot of time between homes and offices, and have nothing to do in the mean time. All these factors come down to when large amount of people rely on public transportation, there is a good chance that wireless technology, such as WAP, can become popular. As far as I am concern, there is no reason why airplane, buses, and trains not to install simple terminals for users using something like WAP.

Charges Now this is the reality and yet a simple reason. It is not a surprise to hear that wire connections charges are more expensive than wireless connections. Not all countries have flat rate Internet access. Even there are flat rate Internet access providers; telephone charges might still apply. Then it is time to balance charges and usage. Again, a lot of the places that get into wireless technologies quick are places that require high Internet access cost. There you have it. Japan I-Mode is a very good example where wire-based connections are often more expensive than wireless connections.

Human Factors Technologies are like disease; it spreads via human contacts. Only when you know there is a technology that meet your need (or simply cool) then you will get it. In highly populated areas, technologies spread quicker. Again when you are riding a bus and see the next person is playing a wireless game with his/her friends, then you start wonder might be you could do the same. Also, when you know other people can get to information faster than you can (say buying concert tickets), you have got to have it too.

---

Extra: Please join the WAP Suite mailing for updates of news articles, and URLs. I will tell you when new articles are up. :) Please come to http://www.camelot.net/wap/