Content area
Full Text
BY STEPHANIE GORDONVirgin Mobile has introduced a web browser on a SIM card which will bring mobile internet access to pay-as-you-go customers.Using Gemplus' GemXplore On-Line mobile Internet solution, subscribers are able to browse services on and offline.Richard Williams, head of advanced wireless technology at Virgin Mobile, said: "The mobile is the Web window of the future. By introducing SIM- based browsing, we will enable all customers to get on the Internet, when they want to, wherever they want to."And they won't need to buy an expensive, top-of-the-range phone first. This is `silicon socialism' at its finest."Virgin believes SIM-based Web browsing will do away with the need for Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) handsets.The 32Kbyte chip will be integrated into all new and existing phones from spring this year. Virgin will also be selling the SIM cards separately at #12 each to users with compatible mobile phones.Virgin is offering its customers two ways of paying for its services. For convenience mobile users can pay by direct debit but airtime vouchers will also be available. Customers will be able to use all Virgin facilities including web browsing on a pay as you go basis.Steven Day, spokesman for Virgin Mobile, said: "The significant advantage of using the SIM Toolkit rather than WAP is that you can browse offline, then pick up the information you want online. The SIM Toolkit browser can also reach all HTML sites which WAP cannot do. We will also be installing a search engine and facility to tap URLs into the phone."A spokesman at GSM technology supplier TTPCom said: "I think the jury is still out on WAP versus SIM Toolkit. WAP is simply another way of accessing information through the mobile phone. I don't think it brings any more advantages except that operators are better able to control services."