Nokia and Intel to embed HSDPA into notebooks

Stuart Corner
Thursday, 28 September 2006 18:37

Business IT - Technology

Notebook computers will soon ship with the ability to access the high speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) functionality being deployed in 3G WCDMA cellular networks and promising connectivity at up to 14Mbps.

• Announcements

Nokia has developed and will manufacture an HSDPA connectivity module which Intel will deliver onwards to notebook manufacturers as part of its next-generation Intel Centrino Duo mobile technology platform. Intel will be responsible for platform design, software, integration and support as well as sales and marketing.

HSDPA services are only just being introduced into cellular networks but their numbers are growing rapidly. The first HSDPA network entered service last October. The GSM Suppliers Assocation estimates that by end December 2006 there will be 80 HSDPA networks in commercial service.

In Australia, Vodafone is leading the charge, albeit with a very limited trial, announced earlier this month. Hutchison Australia said it expects to have HSDPA available in many parts of the network by the end of 2006, and across the entire network by the end of the first quarter of 2007. Initially it will enable download speeds of over 1Mbps and by year end maximum theoretical download speeds of 14Mbps.  HSDPA is a key component of Telstra's much publicised 850MHz 3G network.

Embedding HSPA into laptops will give users another option for wireless connectivity in addition to the widely deployed WiFi and soon WiMAX. The ability to switch seamlessly between the available options will likely become commonplace.