Europe : Sony Ericsson and AT&T Wireless announced today the commercial availability in North America of the World's first EDGE PC Card.

Sony Ericsson's latest addition to its mobile connectivity offerings, the GC82 EDGE PC Card, is a fast mobile computing solution that provides heavy data users and mobile professionals with the fastest national wireless data speeds possible.

The GC82 is a dual band (850/1900 MHz) next-generation PC Card, incorporating high speed EDGE technology into mobile PC computing, providing AT&T Wireless customers with data speeds averaging 100-130kbps and bursts up to 200kbps. This EDGE PC modem card enables faster wireless access to large files, including rich multimedia content, thus enriching the experience of mobile professionals. The GC82 EDGE PC Card moves mobile communications into an era where speed concerns are history, making it possible to stay connected efficiently and effectively.

The launch of the first EDGE PC card in North America is a significant step forward in taking advantage of real 3G networks, offering an efficient and cost-effective mobile wireless computing solution. The GC82 fits in the PCMCIA-slot of a laptop, providing a plug and play, fast mobile connectivity solution. The sleek, compact design of the EDGE PC Card, with a detachable antenna, allows users to keep the PC Card in the laptop at all times - giving them convenient and instant access. Since it is powered by the user's laptop, no extra chargers or cables are required.

The GC82 development is a clear example of how AT&T's Wireless' leading position in wireless services, strong distribution network and expertise in mobile computing combined with Sony Ericsson's leadership in providing mobile connectivity products offers an attractive solution to corporations, PC-manufacturers and mobile professionals. The GC82 card, manufactured by Sony Ericsson, will be distributed through AT&T Wireless stores and through enterprise sales beginning this month.

"Our EDGE network deployment combined with the Sony Ericsson modem card enhances our already strong portfolio of data services for businesses," said Rod Nelson, chief technology officer for AT&T Wireless. "Employees can now use their laptops to take advantage of the faster network speeds, particularly for enterprise applications. We are pleased to be working with Sony Ericsson on the launch of the first EDGE PC card in North America."

"Sony Ericsson's strong commitment to offering mobile professionals fast wireless communication solutions is another step forward towards greater connectivity. The GC82 allows us to take advantage of and support the emerging 3G networks and to provide a strong complement to our existing GPRS and GPRS/WI-FI PC-Card line-up," says Anders Franzen, Corporate Vice President and Head of Sony Ericsson M2M Communications Unit.

"The GC82 EDGE PC card is a clear example of Sony Ericsson's early and strong commitment to leading EDGE technology development for the North American market. This commitment will also benefit Sony Ericsson in providing additional future EDGE products," says Urban Gillstrom, President Sony Ericsson USA.

EDGE was developed to enable mobile transmission of large amounts of data at high speeds, delivering data speeds more than three times faster than GPRS. This means greatly improved downloading speeds, which are very useful for wirelessly downloading e-mails with large attachments.