Initiative set to offer guidelines for integrating high-speed 3G in laptops
Mobile broadband connectivity via 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. The programme is said to have 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 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. The detailed guidelines are also said to address the issue of the physical location of the 3G modem and the SIM that will enable automatic connection to global mobile networks.
According to the GSMA, 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 said to be 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.