Tayo Ajakaye
22 February 2006
Lagos — World's GSM umbrella body, the GSM Association, and Intel are jointly providing laptop computer users with automatic access to HSDPA and other GSM-based technologies and the ability to connect and roam across global mobile networks.
Under the new plan, the two players would work together to develop guidelines for integrating 3G modems and SIM cards into laptop computers, enabling connection to both 3GSM and wi-fi networks around the world.
GSM Daily reports that the move follows previous announcements by some laptop manufacturers such as Dell and Lenovo to offer GSM-based connectivity.
A joint statement from the GSMA and Intel claims that the guidelines are key to ensure that they can quickly and easily provide these capabilities to laptop owners around the world. The GSMA and Intel would seek to engage organisations critical to market implementation, including mobile operators, PC manufacturers and network infrastructure providers.
Sean Maloney, executive vice president and general manager of Intel's Mobility Group, was quoted as saying that he expects many of Intel's customers this year to offer Centrino Mobile Technology laptops with an internal 3GSM data card and an integrated SIM reader, in addition to existing wi-fi technology. "This will turn the notebook into a real multi-communications terminal, and the SIM into a real authentication vehicle for GSM, GPRS, EDGE, 3GSM, HSDPA and wi-fi networks," he stated.
According to Rob Conway, CEO of the GSMA, the initiative will help drive the GSMA's goal of ensuring that, in future, every notebook is 'SIM-ready'. The GSMA has been at the forefront of efforts to provide seamless roaming between networks of mixed technology infrastructure and the usage of the SIM card to provide wi-fi access control and billing.
"This [latest] development brings the advantages and pervasiveness of the GSM platform to the notebook market, where this year sales of more than 60 million laptops are forecast worldwide," he adds. "As 3G network rollouts accelerate across the world, with additional media-rich capabilities added through HSDPA upgrades, laptops with in-built connectivity to the 3GSM world will enable PC users to enjoy the full benefits of seamless access to mobile broadband wireless services with secure authentication."
The initiative already has the full support of a number of big operators of operators, including Cingular Wireless, Orange Group, T-Mobile and Vodafone.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2006 This Day. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
