FAQs

Why has OMTP started an initiative looking at the mobile web?

The mobile web is an important area because it provides one of the few means by which services can be provided to users across the many platforms, devices and operators which are available to them. Given the way in recent years that web 2.0 services have been hugely successful in attracting new customers, it is obvious that this trend will move into the mobile domain. However, the development of the mobile web has several risks. The first risk relates to the security of access to sensitive device capabilities such as location and messaging from the web. The second risk relates to the potential for fragmentation in the implementation of web services across different platforms and browsers. The OMTP initiative will concentrate on these issues with the end goal of consistency and security.

Why has the OMTP chosen to give this initiative a brand name?

The BONDI initiative is pulling together a consistent and secure web services interface that can be used by all web developers across multiple device platforms. It will involve work by OMTP members as well as interaction with standardization bodies. It is important to have an overall name for the activity that pulls all of the strands together. The brand will enable the OMTP mobile web initiative to be more easily communicated to the wider industry to get greater support.

Why BONDI?

BONDI is about providing consistent and secure access for web based services to the mobile device. BONDI provides the bond or commitment to a customer that their new web service will work. BONDI is a place where you can surf, but at the same time feel secure.

Will there be several recommendation documents coming as a result of BONDI?

BONDI will produce a number of different documents looking at security, architecture and the specific interfaces required to access the important features of the mobile device.

Is there support from the mobile operators in BONDI?

All of the member operators of OMTP are supporting BONDI.

When can we expect visible outcomes of this initiative?

The BONDI initiative will be delivering documentation throughout 2008 with the aim of driving other activities in other appropriate standardisation and industry bodies such as W3C. Devices supporting some of the features of BONDI will become available in 2009.

How does this differ from the other device security initiatives the OMTP has been working on?

Existing security activities in OMTP have focused on hardware enablers to protect the device from attack and on application security to protect the customer from the potential for abuse from malicious applications. BONDI is looking at the way in which web applications can make use of mobile device capabilities. Security is a key component of our work, but a consistency of approach across device platforms and browsers is also essential.

Are the right companies involved in OMTP to make BONDI successful?

OMTP has many of the necessary companies to make this initiative successful. We are currently actively recruiting other key companies and will announce these.

What role does a Reference Implementation have in the BONDI initiative?

The RI is an essential aspect of the BONDI execution plan. The extremely tight delivery deadlines mean that something different is required to produce concrete specs in such a short amount of time. This something different is to embrace the model of collaborative open source development. The concreteness of physical working code will serve not only the accelerate the standardization process, but will usefully disambiguate the complexities that are typical in the discussion of such high level concepts. Furthermore, real working code will be of significant benefit to browser developers, application developers and system testing companies alike.

How can companies provide code into the reference implementation and under what license?

Code will be hosted on a publically accessible code repository; companies will be able to contribute directly into this code base, my making changes directly. There is the further option for companies to submit seed code, for new components. More details can be found on the Reference Implementation section of the website.

Do I have to join OMTP to contribute to BONDI?

It is not mandatory and non members will be able to actively contribute code to the open source initiative. There are, however, distinct advantages that OMTP membership will confer, the most obvious of which is the ability to drive the roadmap.