Are you on the move and need a wireless connection, but there isn’t a single Wi-Fi hotspot around? These issues will soon be a thing of the past with the arrival of the new generation of notebooks. With these devices, you will experience what is known as “borderless connectivity.”
According to plans announced recently by several major notebook manufacturers, future notebook models will be equipped with integrated wireless broadband connectivity, allowing you to access the internet from almost anywhere in the world.
Starting in early 2006, Dell will release a series of notebooks featuring integrated High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), enabling users to choose internet access from various service providers.
Currently, Dell has also launched the GC83 EDGE PC Card modem for notebooks, priced at $199. Under an agreement with Cingular Wireless, mobile devices will be able to access Cingular’s 3G network if they use Dell’s models, and Dell also plans to ship dedicated integrated modems for Verizon’s EV-DO (Evolution Data Optimized) network.
The EV-DO network offers download speeds of up to 400 – 700 Kbps and was one of the standout highlights at the recent CTIA Wireless exhibition held in San Francisco.
Not only Dell, but Hewlett-Packard has also announced plans to manufacture notebook models that support EV-DO. Lenovo’s ThinkPad Series Z notebooks are already on the market with integrated EV-DO capabilities, while Sony has become the first notebook manufacturer in the world to embrace broadband technology by supporting EDGE.
“This high-speed wireless technology with extensive coverage will open up a range of real opportunities for both the enterprise and entertainment markets in the future,” commented Rob Enderle, a senior analyst at Enderle Group.
Given such enormous potential, integrated wireless broadband will not be limited to notebooks. The new Treo smartphone being jointly produced by Microsoft and Palm will support EV-DO, as will the upcoming Razr V3c from Motorola.
Meanwhile, HP continues to advocate for the integration of EV-DO into all existing mobile devices. If this “call to action” gains traction, Wi-Fi may find it difficult to maintain its exclusive position in the market.