When was the wireless internet invented?

Answer 1

Not commonly known is that the wireless Internet was conceived and a specification started December 1992 by a consortium of US wireless carriers and the first service provided in fall of 1993. It was called Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD) and supported UDP/TCP/IP for both IPv4 and IPv6. The idea to use Internet protocols over an existing proprietary method under development was recommended by a friend of mine, Robert W. Brenner with GTE Wireless. The recommendation was agreed to by the consortium of carriers and the Specification team for release 1 was jointly led by Mark S. Taylor with McCaw Cellular representing McCaw Cellular and Mr. Brenner representing all of the other carriers.

The consortium of carriers through Mr. Brenner obtain an estimated nine million IPv4 address for the carriers to use and assignments managed through CDPD Service Provider Corporation Mr. Brenner established called which is known today as SPco.

The consortium of wireless carriers created the CDPD Forum to promote the specification to manufacturers and the marketing for new wireless products and services. Over time the forum transformed into the CDPD Wireless Data Forum and then at the recommendation of Mr. Brenner integrated with the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association as the Wireless Data Forum and has grown into the current International CTIA WIRELESS I.T. & Entertainment.

Hard to imagine that the international wireless activities that are now must haves like web surfing, messaging, specialize applications, video, etc. all owe their existence to a small group of dedicated professionals who envision a multibillion dollar wireless data industry by coupling early stages of wireless voice communications and the emerging Internet and the making of the digital wireless world we live in.