Intel Corp: Laptops To Connect To Global Mobile Networks

LONDON -(Dow Jones)- The GSM Association, or GSMA, and Intel Corporation said Tuesday that they are to enable laptops to connect automatically to high-speed 3G broadband data and Wi-Fi networks via SIM.

At the mobile world's annual gathering, the 3GSM World Congress, the GSM Association (GSMA) and Intel Corporation announced an initiative to facilitate and drive the adoption of the GSM family of technologies in laptop computers, to enable users to connect and seamlessly roam across global mobile networks.

The GSMA and Intel will collaborate to develop guidelines for integrating 3G modems and SIM cards into laptop computers, enabling automatic connection to both 3GSM networks and Wi-Fi networks around the world - using the same SIM card technology used by mobile phones.

Some laptop makers have already announced their intentions to offer GSM capabilities, and these guidelines are key to ensure that they can quickly and easily provide these capabilities to laptop owners around the world. The GSMA and Intel will seek to engage organizations critical to market implementation, including mobile operators, PC manufacturers and network infrastructure providers.

The initiative builds on the work completed within the GSMA, which has laid the groundwork for seamless roaming scenarios between networks of mixed technology infrastructure and the usage of the SIM card to provide Wi-Fi access control and billing.

The initiative will focus on developing guidelines to include the GSM family of technologies including the new high speed 3G wireless broadband technology, HSDPA, in laptop computers.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires "

Posted to the site on 14th February 2006