ASIA
Singapore : High-speed mobile broadband connectivity – powered
by HSDPA - will soon become a standard feature of notebook PCs following
the publication of guidelines, developed by a GSM Association-led
initiative, that prescribe a common approach for PC manufacturers
to fully integrate 3G functionality in their product ranges.
HSDPA is a software upgrade
for 3G that delivers up to four times the speed of standard 3G or
W-CDMA, and in some markets as much as eight to ten times, with faster
speeds expected as the technology evolves. Of the 123 commercial 3G
W-CDMA mobile networks live in 55 countries; more than half are HSDPA-enabled
across 40 countries. In total, 121 networks have committed to deploying
HSDPA.
At the 3GSM World Congress
earlier this year, the GSM Association and Intel Corporation announced
an initiative to facilitate and drive the adoption of the GSM family
of technologies in notebooks. This programme has since become an industry-wide
initiative.
Participants in the initiative
include leading mobile operators: Cingular Wireless, O2, Orange, TeliaSonera,
TIM, T-Mobile and Vodafone as well as major manufacturers and suppliers
of mobile, software and PC equipment; Check Point, Dell, Fujitsu,
Gemalto, Intel, Lenovo, Microsoft, Option Wireless, Novatel Wireless,
Qualcomm, Sierra Wireless and Sony Ericsson.
“Through the combined
efforts of operators and vendors, the unique advantages and pervasiveness
of the mobile platform can now be enjoyed by notebook users,”
said Rob Conway, CEO of the GSM Association. “As the roll-out
of HSDPA accelerates rapidly across the world, 3G broadband enabled
notebooks with embedded, seamless connectivity will give customers
the opportunity to enjoy the many benefits of a multi-communications
device with global mobility and secure authentication.”
The comprehensive guidelines
- unveiled at the 3GSM World Congress Asia in Singapore today - cover
the essential elements of 3G integration from the functionality and
features to security aspects, compliance and testing. These detailed
guidelines also address the issue of the physical location of the
3G modem and the SIM that will enable automatic connection to global
mobile networks.
The implementation of the
guidelines will bring the full power of the GSM family of technologies
to notebook users, including GSM, GPRS, EDGE, W-CDMA and HSDPA. HSDPA
delivers a host of unique benefits to users such as rich multimedia
and web browsing anytime, anywhere with global roaming and seamless
billing functionality.
By addressing the needs
of all of the key stakeholders (e.g. operators, vendors and end users),
the guidelines are key to ensuring that PC manufacturers can quickly
and easily incorporate these unique capabilities in their offerings
to customers around the world, with a single, common approach.
Supporting quotes from
the mobile & IT industries:
Cingular Wireless:
"As we continue to extend our HSDPA service across the United
States, these laptops will provide a consistent and simple way to
extend our customers’ wireless broadband connections globally,"
said Jeff Bradley, vice president for Cingular's Business Markets
Group. "The guidelines will enable PC manufacturers to more easily
ingrate 3G capability into their laptops and deliver a high quality
experience to our customers."
Intel Corporation:
“Intel engaged with the GSMA to further promote the industry’s
support of “anytime, anywhere” connectivity for mobile
computers, in an attempt to replicate the phenomenal success of WiFi
connectivity on notebook computers”, explained Scott Richardson,
Vice President of Intel Mobility Group and GM of Service Provider
Business Group. “Thanks to excellent work within the framework
of the GSMA, the 3G SIM is now a viable vehicle to provide seamless
access to both HSDPA and WiFi."
Lenovo:
“Deployment of HSDPA technology in Lenovo notebooks demonstrates
our leadership in 3G wireless communications. Our customers around
the world are mobile and count on high-speed broadband connections
to do their business every day. The GSMA’s guidelines will further
streamline the 3G wireless integration process for the industry that
will ultimately benefit consumers,” said Daryl Cromer, director
for Lenovo’s Advanced Technology Centre.
Microsoft:
"More frequently than ever, customers are using 3G technology
to enable the flexibility to be connected with their PCs from anywhere.
Microsoft is participating in this initiative in order to accelerate
the variety of 3G PC's available to our mobile customers," said
Mika Krammer, Director for Windows Client Mobility.
O2:
"O2 fully supports this exciting initiative that will give our
customers a simple-to-use facility to connect their notebook computers
to our high speed radio access technologies. This will be especially
useful for our business customers and will help to increase their
productivity. It will also be good for the mobile industry by boosting
the take up of new access technologies,” said Dave Williams,
CTO, O2.
Orange:
“Customers want seamless access to business information and
our Business Everywhere offer provides this with simple one click
access, an out of the box solution and excellent customer support,”
said Philippe Bernard, Executive Vice President, Orange Business Solutions.
“With embedded laptop connectivity we will ensure the same first
class experience. Today, we are building the right product, channel
and service components to deliver the seamless experience that customers
expect from Orange. ”
Qualcomm:
“HSDPA-enabled notebooks offer users a new ubiquitous mobile
broadband experience, and Qualcomm is pleased to be part of the GSMA’s
initiative to drive next-generation embedded 3G products,” said
Jeff Jacobs, president of Global Development for Qualcomm. “In
2005, enterprises started seeing the benefits of high-speed wireless
connectivity, and as 3G networks rapidly evolve, embedded HSDPA/HSUPA/HSPA+
notebooks will become as commonplace as USB support in a notebook
computer – an integral part of the device that users cannot
live without.”
TeliaSonera:
“The integration of 3G services and SIM card authentication
into notebook PCs provides new opportunities for mobile data usage.
For the user, ease-of-use is maximised when notebooks support all
available mobile data networks. We want our customers to be always
best connected,” said GSMA Board Member Håkan Dahlström,
Group Vice President, TeliaSonera AB.
TIM:
"This initiative is an important stepping stone for operators
to increase their service offerings in the packet domain. An integrated
module with an embedded SIM in laptops, allows users to communicate
easily even when on the move, transparently using the most suitable
high-speed wireless access available. Finally, GSMA operators can
offer Internet, e-mail and multimedia content everywhere, with a single
click,” said Massimo Castelli, CMO, Telecom Italia.
T-Mobile International:
“By facilitating the quick market adoption of HSDPA wireless
broadband technology into users' workhorse data devices, both the
Mobile and IT industries are demonstrating their power of innovation
and flexibility to adjust to customers' real life requirements. Conveniently
built-in, simple-to-use mobile data access everywhere will soon be
the norm,” said André Stark, EVP Business Marketing T-Mobile
International.
Vodafone:
“Having pioneered built-in HSDPA technology, Vodafone believes
today's announcement is good news for customers everywhere, as built-in
3G broadband in laptops will make a real difference to the way our
customers do business," said Oliver Mauss, Global Director of
Business Marketing, Vodafone. "Working while away from the office,
either at home or abroad, will be much faster and easier as will the
interactions businesses can have with their customers, suppliers and
business partners."
