Ericsson's embedded HSPA module to drive the "all communicating world"

Stuart Corner
Wednesday, 23 September 2009 06:50

IT Industry - Strategy

Ericsson has unveiled a new mobile broadband module designed for embedding in consumer electronic devices such as e-book readers, GPS navigators, hailing it as one of the first of wave of new devices that will "drive the third wave of mobile broadband" into a wide range of non-computer electronic products.

Mats Norin, vice president, Ericsson Mobile Broadband Modules, said: "This module opens a new realm of possibilities and innovation for the consumer electronics industry as they can now easily and cost-effectively integrate the power and speed of mobile broadband in today's and tomorrow's device...Our vision is clear: all devices that can be connected will be connected as the technology required for an all-communicating world is now here."

Ericsson Australia strategic marketing manager for multimedia Kursten Leins, said: "Ericsson predicts that there will be over 50 billion connected devices by the year 2020. The vast majority of this growth will come from machine-to-machine communications, such as smart meters, eBook readers, navigation devices, in-car entertainment systems, gaming devices, cameras, TVs and more. This will enable Australians to always remain connected no matter where they are."

ABI Research is says that cellular M2M connections – which enable wireless data calls between machines – will approximately triple their current number of about 75 million by 2014. "These connections are split almost equally between telemetry and telematics applications, with the former growing at a slightly faster rate ABI Research said.).

According to Liens, "These consumer electronic and mobile Internet devices will drive the third wave of mobile broadband. The first wave was mainly comprised of data cards and USB dongles, with the second wave driven by laptops and netbooks with embedded mobile broadband.

The new Ericsson module, named C3607w, is only a third of the size of previous Ericsson modules, and, says Ericsson "is packaged with an extensive operator approval programme and outstanding IPR protection which eases integration and shortens time to market." It also, according to Ericsson, "gives device manufacturers the flexible, self-contained connectivity solution needed to create the next generation of intuitive and innovative consumer electronics by decoupling the processor and connectivity design."

The device is capable of reaching uplink speeds of 5.76Mbps with up to 40 percent less power consumption than previous modules and is equipped with Ericsson's wake-on-wireless feature, enabling remote wake-up commands from sleep mode. It will be available in the first quarter of 2010.

The C3607w module was unveiled at the Intel Developer Forum (IDF) and, according to Ericsson, 'highlights progress in Ericsson's collaboration with Intel announced last year to bring HSPA mobile data solutions to Intel's 'Moorestown' platform-based MIDs. Although compatible with multiple platforms, the CE module represents progress in Ericsson's and Intel's aim to bring together the telecom and computing industries and extend the mobile broadband ecosystem to consumer electronics."

Nokia and Intel announced, in September 2006, plans to work together to produce HSPA modems for embedding in laptops but Nokia abandoned the venture in February 2007 claiming it could not see a sufficiently strong business case.