10 out of 15 rated this helpful - Rate this topic

Mobile Broadband: Enabling Windows Store Operator Experiences

Windows 8 simplifies mobile broadband connectivity for users, while offering new opportunities for mobile network operators. Users enjoy a streamlined, consistent connection flow while mobile network providers enjoy the ability to highlight their value-added services. With built-in mobile broadband capabilities, Windows 8 reduces the need to develop traditional connection management apps.

The links below will point you to the information you need to ensure that your mobile broadband hardware is ready for Windows 8 and to enable you to develop your mobile operator app.

Note on languages: Some of the links on this page point to documentation that has been translated into multiple languages. Each of these links has an asterisk (*) next to it. The following languages are available for these documents:

* =

The Mobile Broadband Experience in Windows 8

Overview of Mobile Broadband in Windows 8 * gives you an overview of how Windows 8 enables operators to combine mobile broadband and other operator-relevant hardware with Windows Store device apps and discusses how mobile network operators can best integrate their brand and offerings with Windows 8 to deliver custom experiences to subscribers.

Submitting a Service Metadata Package for Mobile Broadband Device Apps Step-by-Step Guide walks you through the process of submitting service metadata for your mobile broadband device step-by-step to the WHDC Dashboard.

Preparing for a Windows Store Operator Experience: Development Tools and Guidance for Modem Compatibility

Preparing to Develop Mobile Operator Apps * provides information on what you need to have in place before you start to author the components of your mobile operator app.
- Development Guide to Creating Mobile Operator Apps* provides information about how to get started developing a mobile operator app and includes guidelines on how to create service metadata to customize certain elements of the Windows 8 native connection manager.
- Mobile Operator Hardware Guidelines for Windows 8* provides information about supported mobile broadband hardware for Windows 8. It provides guidelines for mobile operators to develop hardware specifications to be communicated to their partner hardware vendors.

Developing the Components of a Mobile Operator App

Designing User Experience of Mobile Operator Apps * provides user experience design guidelines for creating apps to enable self-activation, to provide subscribers with up-to-date information on their account, to communicate to subscribers about the operator’s products and services, and to enable subscribers to manage their mobile broadband account and service.
Development Guide to Creating Mobile Operator Apps * provides information about how to get started developing a mobile operator app and includes guidelines on how to create service metadata to customize certain elements of the Windows 8 native connection manager.

The topics below provide a more in-depth set of information for developing your mobile operator experience in Windows 8.

Overview of Mobile Broadband Windows Runtime API * provides information on the Windows Runtime API available for use by the mobile operator app.
Providing Mobile Broadband Metadata * provides information about how network operators can supply information to Windows to extend the connectivity experience. For additional information about mobile broadband metadata, see Service Metadata Package Schema Reference for Windows 8. MNOs or MVNOs who want to better understand how service metadata is matched with mobile broadband hardware, should read Matching Service Metadata for MVNO Scenarios.
Mobile Operator Notifications and System Events * provides information about the Mobile Operator Notification system for the Windows 8 and provides guidelines for mobile operators to develop Windows Store device apps that effectively handle SMS, USSD, and other relevant network system events.
Mobile Broadband SMS * provides information about the Mobile Broadband SMS text messaging platform for the Windows 8. It provides guidelines for mobile network operators and app developers to use SMS send and receive text messages using a mobile broadband network adapter.
Creating a Website for Mobile Broadband Setup * provides information about how a website can be used for mobile broadband plan purchase and setup with the Windows 8.
Building Portable Hotspots for Windows 8 * provides guidelines for device manufacturers to offer similar experiences on a Wi-Fi hotspot backed by Mobile Broadband (including a mobile phone) to what Windows would offer on a native Mobile Broadband connection.
Submitting Updates to the APN Database * contains information on how mobile operators provide updates to the Access Point Name (APN) database. Windows 8 contains a built-in APN connectivity directory. This is used by the Windows connection manager to provide a seamless connection experience for end users by supplying and trying available connection APNs based on the user’s mobile broadband hardware.

Submitting your Mobile Operator App

Submitting a Mobile Operator App * provides information about how to submit a mobile operator app with associated service metadata.
Creating a service metadata submission package for Mobile Broadband provides information about creating the device manifest submission package, which is the package format in which service metadata must be submitted.

Including Wi-Fi Mobile Hotspots and Hotspot Networks in Your Windows Store Operator Experience

Windows 8 Integration for Wireless Hotspot Operators * provides information about wireless hotspots for Windows 8 and provides guidelines for hotspot operators to offer a tailored experience to Windows 8 users.
Building Portable Hotspots for Windows 8 * provides guidelines for device manufacturers to offer experiences on a Wi-Fi hotspot backed by Mobile Broadband (including a mobile phone) similar to what Windows would offer on a native Mobile Broadband connection.
Automatic Connection Management * describes how Windows 8 automatically selects a network connection when multiple connections such as Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and mobile broadband interfaces are simultaneously available.

Working with SMS

Mobile Operator Notifications and System Events * provides information about the Mobile Operator Notification system for Windows 8 and provides guidelines for mobile operators to develop Windows Store device apps that effectively handle SMS, USSD, and other relevant network notifications.
Mobile Broadband SMS * provides information about the Mobile Broadband SMS text messaging platform for Windows 8. It provides guidelines for mobile network operators and app developers to use SMS to send and receive text messages using a mobile broadband network adapter.

Windows Store Device Apps for Other Devices

You can read Device Experience for Windows 8: Windows Store Device Apps to learn what a Windows Store device app is, and familiarize yourself with the concepts, processes and tools used to build and distribute Windows Store device apps for many of the devices that operators offer to their subscribers.