Several of the largest players in network computing and communications have announced a common set of standards for building mobile network computers. The Mobile Network Computer Reference Specification is a further extension of the existing Network Computer Reference Profile (CI 3,129) and applies specifically to wireless mobile devices ranging from smart cellular phones to handheld mobiles which provide Internet access – though the primary focus will be professional assistant devices, capable of supporting rich Java content, productivity applications and database access. Aside from the original NCRP five – Apple Computer Inc, IBM Corp, Netscape Communications Corp, Oracle Corp and Sun Microsystems Inc – the new initiative has attracted Toshiba Corp, Fujitsu Ltd, Hitachi Ltd, Mitsubishi Electric Corp, Lotus Development Corp, and Nokia Oy as sponsors, with 13 other companies endorsing the effort. The specification covers such issues as security, availability, performance, total cost of ownership and interoperability relating to mobile network computers. Such mobile devices operate at various connection speeds and may be off-line at certain times. Technical details include Smartcard, Web and teleconferencing standards, wired or wireless local and wide area network attachments, peripheral attachments and infrared capabilities, and communications protocols, including TCP/IP. A full specification list can be found at www.ibm.com/nc. Mobile devices were referred to in the original Network Computer Reference Profile but not dealt with in any great detail.
