Built-in broadband to boost wireless growth

Stephen Withers
Tuesday, 15 January 2008 11:07

IT Industry - Market

High-speed packet access (HSPA) modules embedded in notebooks and other devices will spur broader adoption of wireless broadband, according to Ericsson.

Two of the seven largest PC brands have already signed up buy HSPA modules from Ericsson, according to strategic marketing manager Kursten Leins. "This is an extremely dynamic market segment and there was a huge amount of interest at CES," he added. The first notebooks featuring Ericsson's HSPA module are set for introduction during the second quarter.

"Towards the end of 2007 we witnessed a rapid decline in the cost of HSPA mobile broadband plans from all Australian operators, to a level that is on-par with some fixed broadband service offerings. We see 2008 as a pivotal year for consumer devices with HSPA-embedded modules and this will help make mobile broadband a mass market offering."

According to Leins, other devices likely to include wireless broadband in the near future include gaming systems, digital cameras, GPS navigators, and car maintenance systems.

Ericsson's sub-credit-card sized Mobile Broadband Module is a mini-PCI Express card that supports HSPA, WCDMA, GPRS and GSM, and incorporates a GPS receiver. Building these functions into a notebook or other device reduces the risk of loss or damage, and makes the functionality more convenient for users.

Maximum speeds under HSPA are 7.2Mbps down and 2Mbps up.

By 2011, the company aims to supply around 100 million modules per year to the notebook market alone. Other form factors are planned, including half-size mini-PCI Express.