To the end user, accessing the "Internet" on a mobile phone can appear somewhat similar to surfing the World Wide Web on a desktop computer; however, important differences exist. Some mobile Web sites will be too complex for phones to display properly, or the PC version of the Web site will be displayed, making it difficult to view content on the phone. We recommend that you use device detection in your mobile site development, so that the site will recognize the phone and deliver suitable content to it.

The phone’s mobile browser is designed to display Web content for small screens on portable devices and to accommodate smaller memory capacity and lower bandwidth constraints. As developers you should keep wireless network bandwidth and mobile device limitations in mind when creating or adapting mobile content.  Learn More  >>

There are many, many mobile browsers available today, compared to the relatively few dominant wired Internet browsers.  Each mobile browser will have different capabilities to display Internet and mobile content.  When developing a mobile site, make sure to check the browser capabilities.

Device Specifications

AT&T subscribers can take advantage of various types of mobile content such as browsing services, messaging, and downloads. Browse applications work like Web sites in that the application functionality is generally run on a network server with the results displayed by the mobile phone. Downloadable applications run from the user's phone and include ringtones, games, graphics, and music. A number of messaging technologies exist to send text, images, and audio, as well as technologies for feeds and content streaming.

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The vast array of devices and operating systems that AT&T supports can be a challenge to wireless developers who are looking to write an application once and have it run on all devices.  With AT&T’s platform variety, developers can create apps and target their customers within their development environment. 

For an application to work on a phone, it must be written to work either natively with the operating system, or by using a runtime environment. Applications that run natively on the operating system (such as Windows Mobile or Blackberry) tend to offer the most device integration. In many cases, the OS provider has published an SDK which provides information on how to leverage device capabilities.

In addition, most operating systems support Java because there are many more applications written in Java than in any single OS. Although many device manufacturers run a proprietary operating system, they have installed Java so that third party developers can write software that will run on the devices easily. Java is a standardized development system that is used on PCs, phones and other devices. Almost all of our phones support Java. There are published tools and a very large developer community that uses this programming language. Java Platform, Micro Edition (Java ME, formerly J2ME) is the version on phones. A developer can write an application in Java ME and port it various devices for scalability.

All AT&T Java-enabled wireless devices follow Sun Microsystems' MIDP 2.0 guidelines for over-the-air (OTA) provisioning.

AT&T supports development on all major mobile operating systems and platforms, so you have the widest choice possible for developing applications within your area of expertise. Application development options include developing native OS applications, downloadable applications, content feeds, and/or browseable sites. Learn More >>

Yes, we can include Java applications preloaded on devices. The intent is to drive adoption and usage by making customers aware of this capability on the device at the point of purchase. Currently, pre-load options are limited to Official AppCenter Content Providers.

The most popular types of content fall into the following categories:

• Socially useful content (e.g., social networking, travel, and shopping applications)
• Premium downloadable content (e.g., tones, wallpapers, games, productivity tools)
• Unique content that offers the user a fun new or unusual mobile experience.

Yes, all of AT&T's wireless devices support reception of calls and messages while applications are running. Typically, if a call is received while an app is executing, the device will invoke the app's pause method/function and switch to the voice interface. The only limitation to receiving calls and e-mail while an application is running is when the application is invoking streaming functionality. In most cases, streaming takes precedence over network notifications, so you should keep this in mind when developing these types of applications.  Most 3G phones support simultaneous voice and data transfer. 

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We are referring to our default browser portal, MEdia Net; and our download shop, AppCenter. Before you can get your application on AT&T MEdia Net or AppCenter, it needs to go through our review, approval and certification process to make sure that it meets content standards and functionality requirements. We're looking for nationally recognized brands and innovative applications that run on a large majority of our phones, and that users can browse and use easily. Additionally, a business arrangement is required to become an official MEdia Net or AppCenter content provider.

You can go it alone – you don’t even need AT&T! Just create an application or mobile site and promote it to your customer base.

However, if you’d like some assistance, we are happy to provide you with everything you need to know, from best practices in creating the best user experience to distribution ideas.

We encourage developers to get creative and develop the next “killer app” that everyone will want.

AT&T offers content providers several ways to go to market, ranging from AppCenter to where AT&T hosts and markets the content to DIY, where the developer hosts the application and does all of the marketing.

Anyone can develop software for our phones as long as they write it in one of the development languages or for the mobile browser the phones support. And users can download software from any third party.

Any developer can get a "3rd Party" certificate for their application, regardless of whether we sell or make the application available through our channels.

We have a storefront where we make available a selection of applications we think will provide value to our customers. Some of those require access to phone features that require a "Preferred" or a "Trusted" certificate. There are really 3 distinctions:

On-Deck or On-Portal: Made available via our AppCenter or MEdia Net properties or pre-installed on our phones. Requires official content provider agreement and access to AT&T application signing.

Beyond MEdia Net: Offered via MEdia Net search, content is indexed so that users can easily discover it

Off-Deck and Off-Portal: Offered via a 3rd party sites

Beyond MEdia Net is a fast and inexpensive way for Content Providers to get their wireless applications and WAP sites to the consumer space; other options include MEdia Net and AppCenter for downloadable applications. For developers selling to business customers, AT&T offers a path to get your application to AT&T sales personnel.  Enterprise Software Certification is required for all enterprise solutions. Learn More >>

Absolutely. Our Beyond MEdia Net program is designed to help small scale or new businesses get their applications on board with Beyond MEdia Net Aggregators.

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Application certification is only applicable to official content providers who’s applications are available via MEdia Net, AppCenter and the Enterprise Solutions Catalog.  To ensure the best end-user experience possible, AT&T requires that developers provide high-quality applications that are specifically tested on the devices on which they will be deployed. We've developed testing programs specifically for this purpose.

Learn about Test Plans and get Testing Tools.

As applications and data transfer become more sophisticated, security across wireless networks has become increasingly important for all members of the mobile community, be they Content Providers, Enterprise Developers, Consumers, or Wireless Carriers.  AT&T is responsible for managing and protecting access to wireless network resources as well as to our customers' personal information.  If malicious applications attack AT&T's wireless network, AT&T must be able to revoke applications to safeguard the integrity of all other data and resources on the network.

In order to accomplish this goal, AT&T uses a tiered security hierarchy model for application signing.  This model identifies certain classes of APIs as “privileged.”  Access to these APIs is allowed only if the application has been signed with a specific security certificate.   AT&T has implemented a Code Signing Portal that provides developers with a secure, convenient and automated method to apply these certificates to their applications.

The three different levels are detailed below:

• Unsigned: The application can call a server on the web but the user will be prompted each time the application contacts the Internet. Access to many other functions is restricted (like SMS, etc.).   The application is not-signed.
• 3rd Party signed: The application can call the Internet and trigger things like the creation of an SMS. The user is prompted to "allow" once per session.  Any application may get signed. 
• AT&T Signed: The application can access all the available features except location and SIM access. The user is only prompted once. Requires official AT&T content provider status. 

For Official MEdia Net and AppCenter Content Providers, AT&T's Java guidelines describe the standards for provisioning pages, as well as some best practices for your MIDlet. For example, we request that MIDlets be optimized for specific devices. We also recommend having a splash screen, help screen, and instruction screen. Any application timers which limit interactivity should be limited to 3 seconds, to avoid the appearance that the device is "locked up." Learn More >>

Enterprise Certified Solution Partners are required to submit solutions to the Enterprise Solution Certification program. There are specific certification criteria for Java ME applications that target phones and BlackBerry handhelds. Learn More >>

The certification process is straightforward, and completion offers a number of benefits to you and your end users:

• Customers feel confident your application runs on targeted devices
• Users are ensured the best possible experience on the AT&T's wireless network
• You gain potential exposure to the AT&T customer base through our sales teams
• You qualify for application to the devCentral AllStar Program and for Dealer status in the Business Alliance Partner Program
• You meet the minimum business and marketing relationship requirement for the AT&T test certificate process
• Use of the AT&T Certified Solution logo in your marketing and collateral
• Inclusion in the AT&T Certified Solutions Catalog, a marketable assurance of quality that provides positive exposure to customers and the AT&T Enterprise Sales teams
• Hosting of your corporate marketing and sales collateral in the Certified Solutions Catalog dynamic search tool
• Access to the AT&T Marketing Self-Service Site.

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Yes, quality of service is AT&T’s number-one priority. AT&T's wireless network compatibility certification testing offers numerous advantages. Prior to AT&T device certification, all devices must be FCC and PTCRB certified.  For stocked devices, the meticulous voice and data testing, protocol testing, applications testing, regulatory testing, performance testing, security testing and user experience testing help ensure product quality, customer support preparedness and responsiveness, and software interoperability. By ensuring your device works properly on AT&T’s network, our mutual customers can receive an exceptional user experience. Additionally, network compatibility helps make your device a logical choice for AT&T business customers looking for solutions to deploy across their organization. AT&T’s guidelines and testing criteria verify best-in-class devices worthy of displaying the AT&T Network Compatible logo.

For non-stocked / specialty vertical devices, AT&T Device Certification ensures that devices will perform as expected over the AT&T's wireless network so your end-users will have the most favorable experience possible. Learn More >>

If the device you are targeting does not appear on the update network certification/non-network certification list, you may contact the manufacturer of the device regarding certification. The device manufacturer must complete device certification before you request certification for your solution. If you are seeking solution certification as part of the non-stocked/specialty vertical device certification process, solution testing may be done in conjunction with AT&T network compatibility testing. Learn More  >>

AT&T accepts a broad range of devices for certification, including both stocked and non-stocked or "specialty" items. Stocked devices that can be certified typically include handheld devices and PC.  You can also certify non-stocked specialty devices that support real-time wireless applications that meet specific business requirements such as vehicle and asset tracking, field service, and telemetry. Non-stocked specialty devices that can be certified include laptops with embedded PC Cards and handhelds, Internet-enabled devices, OEM modules and specialty vertical devices with approved OEM modules.

You must complete a wireless network compatibility testing request form, available on devCentral, and submit it to AT&T. You will receive a response regarding next steps via e-mail. Learn More >>

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