Ericsson has announced the introduction of two new HSPA mobile broadband modules designed, it says, to allow consumers to enjoy seamlessly connected handheld gaming devices, media players, personal navigation devices and tablets that utilize high speed mobile broadband.
The Ericsson C5621gw and H5321gw modules are said to be thinner, 40 percent smaller and three times faster than previous generations of modules. This enables a wider variety of connected devices on the market and a richer user experience – for example, faster downloading of a high definition movie to a tablet.
Mats Norin, vice president, Mobile Broadband Modules for Ericsson, said,”Ericsson’s vision is that all devices that can be connected, will be connected. Connecting any handheld device through high speed mobile broadband will be as straightforward as using your mobile phone – wherever you are, at any time.”
Ericsson says it is helping developers enable universal device connectivity and the company has been working with US wireless carrier AT&T to make this happen. The AT&T 3G Access Program is designed to offer next generation consumer electronics and machine-to-machine device manufacturers high-performance 3G modules at a lower cost. In January 2011, Ericsson became the first company chosen to contribute an HSPA Evolution module to the 3G Access Program. The newly introduced C5621gw HSPA module will also be included in the program.
“With Ericsson’s new module, equipment makers, including those producing tablets, will have another critical tool necessary to create streamlined designs for mobile broadband connectivity at an affordable cost,” said Glenn Lurie, president, emerging devices, resale and partnerships, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. “Our 3G Access Program continues to grow, helping build a stronger embedded device ecosystem.”
For users, the experience and performance of a device with an embedded module is superior to one connected by a dongle, says Ericsson. With embedded technologies, antennas and system performance said to be are improved – providing higher quality of service and lowered power consumption. Consumers will be able to enjoy longer battery life, and the modules enable users to experience fast data download speeds of up to 21Mbps and upload speeds of up to 5.76Mbps.
Designed to be embedded into any consumer electronic device, the H5321gw module will be available to customers within the global consumer electronics industry in September. The C5621gw, enabling a reduced power consumption of 30 percent, will be available to customers in October. Both modules are based on ST-Ericsson’s Thor (TM) M5730 modem, which works both on WCDMA/HSPA+ and GSM/EDGE networks.