2.5G Networks Drive Mobile Computing

Mobile computing adds a new layer of complexity to the wireless scene, including numerous wireless carriers and handheld- device platforms, spotty coverage, variable network latency and dropped connections. In this last installment of VARBusiness' Technology Series about wireless, we'll look at the software tools for developing and managing wireless applications, and some of the futuristic devices available to mobile workers.

Cellular Comes of Age

So-called 2.5 generation (2.5G) digital wireless networks are finally available in the United States. Wireless carriers claim data rates up to 144 Kbps, but the fine print reveals real-world average speeds in the 30-Kbps to 70-Kbps range. That's more than double the speed of first-generation analog cellular networks, though hardly a broadband revolution.

Still, achieving dial-up modem speeds via cellular networks is a trigger point in the minds of customers who have been reluctant to try mobile computing.

"The biggest advantage [of 2.5G for developers is that customers now see it's possible to do useful work on [wide-area wireless networks," says Rich Pachler, vice president of Ciber's Wireless/Mobile Practice.

Sprint was the last major carrier to roll out 2.5G, but it galvanized competitors by unveiling a service map that covers 249 million people in hundreds of U.S. cities. AT&T Wireless was to extend its 2.5G coverage nationwide by the end of last month, according to company spokesman Ritch Blasi, and Verizon Wireless, Cingular and T-Mobile (formerly VoiceStream) will likely follow suit in the near future.

These carriers employ one of two digital cellular radio standards. Sprint and Verizon employ code division multiple access (CDMA) technology, while AT&T and T-Mobile use global system for mobile communications (GSM). The latter is more beneficial for international travelers given it's used by 80 percent of the world's carriers. But, at the same time, CDMA gives an edge to builders of new networks because "CDMA offers a faster, easier migration to 3G than GSM," says Ryan Slack, senior director of the business solutions program at Sprint PCS.

Get Equipped

A number of software tools are available for developing and managing wireless applications, led by vendors Aether Systems, AvantGo, Infowave and Research in Motion (RIM). While the market is still small for their offerings, it's important for solution providers to know the skillset is similar, regardless of the type of network. "3G doesn't really matter to developers and integrators," says Ojas Rege, vice president of product strategy at AvantGo.

Here are some of the offerings:

• Aether focuses on mobile applications that require real-time interaction.
• Sun Microsystems employs Aether's synchronization and device-management products in its Field Information Appliance, a Linux-based handheld device that lets 3,500 field-service engineers query Sun's knowledge base, order parts, check delivery schedules and update their billable activity reports.
• AvantGo's flagship development platform includes M-Business Server Application Edition and Application Edition Client, which support XML and .Net on a variety of handheld devices. Developers can use existing tools with them, such as Microsoft Visual Studio .Net and Borland's Jbuilder. Back-end databases, including Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server and Sybase, can be accessed via XML and client-resident APIs. Security features include Secure Socket Layer and Elliptical Curve Cryptography server-based authentication, Active Directory and LDAP integration. Centralized administration at the application and user levels is complemented by end-user self-registration.
• Infowave offers middleware that enables real-time mobility on multiple wireless devices. Its Wireless Business Engine software sits behind the corporate firewall, handling security, user-interface optimization, data compression and wireless carrier management for any combination of mobile devices.
• "Infowave's Wireless Business Engine sits between the myriad devices and the many different enterprise applications, and manages all the communications between the two," says Sal Visca, CTO at Infowave. "It optimizes the many different wireless protocols, providing end-to-end security, handling in- and out-of-coverage sessions, reformatting content and tying it all into the key business applications."
• RIM recently extended its BlackBerry messaging platform to encompass access to enterprise databases. BlackBerry Enterprise Server v3.5 now includes a feature called Mobile Data Service, which supports standard connectivity protocols (HTTP, TCP/IP and UDP) and has native language support for XML, WML and cHTML. BlackBerry can now support applications and services from companies such as BEA Systems, HP, IBM Global Services and Siebel Systems.
• The new BlackBerry also supports the ability to push information to "always-on" handheld devices. Push capability is another key benefit of 2.5G; information can be delivered without waiting for the user to initiate a connection.
• Phones For the Future
• As wireless WANs become more capable, so do the devices formerly known as cell phones. The "smart phones" developed for 2.5G networks integrate functions of phones, PDAs and Internet appliances. The two main examples of smart phones in the market are Handspring's Treo 300 and the Toshiba 2032.
• The Treo 300 offers a 33-MHz Motorola Dragonball VZ processor, 16 MB of RAM, a 160-x-160 4,096-color display, a backlit QWERTY keyboard, an infrared port and synchronization cable. Powered by the Palm OS, the Treo 300 comes with a calendar, phone/address book, to-do list, memo pad and other PIM software. The Handspring Blazer Web browser supports HTML, WAP (WML/HDML), cHTML (I-Mode) and xHTML.
• Microsoft's Pocket PC Phone Edition OS powers the Toshiba 2032. Software includes Microsoft's Pocket editions of Word, Excel, Internet Explorer and Outlook 2000, along with Windows Media Player and ActiveSync 3.5. The 7.5-ounce device features an Intel Strong ARM 206-MHz processor, 32 MB of RAM, 32 MB of Flash ROM and an SD card slot.
• "The biggest opportunity [for solution providers comes from the availability of these devices," says David Wood, executive vice president of partnering, evangelism and research at Symbian, owned by phone- makers Ericsson, Nokia, Matsushita (Panasonic), Motorola, Psion, Siemens and Sony Ericsson Mobile. "Once people start using advanced devices for personal use, suddenly IT departments catch on."