SEATTLE-Qualcomm Inc. and Microsoft Corp. made good on their promise to converge the computing and wireless industries when they announced the formation of WirelessKnowledge L.L.C. last week, a joint venture many say will revolutionize the wireless data industry.
WirelessKnowledge aims to provide an airlink-independent end-to-end architecture that carriers can use to offer secure wireless access to data and applications on any wireless device, network and enterprise system.
Its strategy is to provide wireless access to e-mail, contacts, calendars and news services on any device-be it pager, laptop computer, wireless phone or handheld computer-connected to any network and using any operating system.
Initially, WirelessKnowledge plans to offer these service solutions to carriers on an original equipment manufacturer basis. Its Network Operating Center serves as the primary link to make all this happen. The NOC will be the connection point between the various public networks and the private corporate intranet or small office/home office desktop computer.
It will feature Windows NT-compatible hardware and run Microsoft Exchange. This center has the ability to know what kind of browser is requesting information, which it will deliver in the format best suited for that device. For instance, if a mobile user is requesting a contact list from a two-way pager, that contact list will be delivered in a format best read and used by the pager. If the same information is sent to a palmtop computer, though, it will have the functionality included that the palmtop can use.
WirelessKnowledge plans to extend this NOC to all network carriers, including Code Division Multiple Access, Time Division Multiple Access, Global System for Mobile Communications, Cellular Digital Packet Data and others.
WirelessKnowledge will charge carriers a per-month fee for the service, which carriers can pass onto their subscribers. WirelessKnowledge also will provide the news services content, sales force assistance and 24-hour technical support, the company said.
It will use open Internet standards, like Hypertext Markup Language, Transfer Control Protocol/Internet Protocol and Hypertext Transfer Protocol.
“We view WirelessKnowledge as the backbone of a set of wireless services we think we can offer over time,” said Microsoft President Steve Ballmer. “We both see a broad need to support wireless data and popularize wireless data, and that means supporting various wireless modalities.”
The solution combines Microsoft’s BackOffice family of software at the corporate intranet level, the Windows CE operating system on handsets and the Microsoft Commercial Internet System. Eventually, the company said WirelessKnowledge services will be available to all operating systems and servers.
Wireless carriers expected to trial the system include AirTouch Communications Inc., AT&T Wireless Services Inc., Bell Atlantic Mobile, Bell Mobility, BellSouth Corp., GTE Wireless Inc., Leap Wireless International, Sprint PCS and U S West Wireless.
The full scope of the venture will be realized in several stages. WirelessKnowledge hopes to begin the testing phase in December, make service available to carriers by January. Carriers could begin offering commercial service by April.
Wireless data industry observers touted the new company’s intent, but noted several issues must be met for it to become a reality.
“I like the idea, but the challenges are significant,” said Bob Egan of the Gartner Group. “That’s why I say WirelessKnowledge is going to jump start the wireless data hype cycle.”
WirelessKnowledge has been hailed by many as the messiah of the long-suffering wireless data industry. The early hype around it has the company single-handedly delivering the industry to the holy land of mass-market acceptance and profits.
But should the venture fail to deliver on its promises, it could cause irreparable damage.
“With size comes responsibility,” Egan said. “It’s an important criteria for them to remember.”
One noteworthy challenge is whether corporate customers accept the NOC. Security is a big issue for corporate IT managers, and WirelessKnowledge’s NOC will have to prove its worth to a historically skittish crowd.
“IT managers are not necessarily very trusting of third-party facilities,” Egan said. “They’re not going to move on some flippant information. (WirelessKnowledge) needs to get some details out.”
Another issue is the various network connections the solution suggests-from the public wireless network, to the NOC, to the corporate intranet, back to NOC and out to public network again and to the device.
“Think of the number of interfaces that need to be addressed. They are significant. (WirelessKnowledge) has the ability, but what is the commitment?” Egan asked.
Other issues include Microsoft developing a thinner version of Windows CE that is better designed for wireless handsets, developing software capable of recognizing different types of browsers and developing a version of Exchange that will allow operating systems to make use of it.
WirelessKnowledge intends to introduce these upgrades in its a Wireless Product Application Kit, which will integrate WirelessKnowledge service to other operating systems. The WPAK is not expected until later next year.
WirelessKnowledge executives include John Major as president and chief executive officer, formerly president of Qualcomm’s Wireless Infrastructure Division; James DeBello as vice president and general manager, formerly vice president and general manager of Qualcomm’s Eudora Internet Software Division; Randy Salo as vice president of product development, formerly director of Qualcomm’s Consumer Products Division; and Thomas Clarkson as vice president of marketing and sales.
