Ericsson has unveiled what the
company calls the world's first mobile broadband module at 21 Mbps (megabits
per second), the HSPA Evolution (HSPA+) F5521gw.
Twice the size of a quarter, the Ericsson F5521gw supports download speeds
of up to 21 Mbps and upload speeds of 5.76 Mbps. Ericsson introduced the new
broadband module at the 2010 Intel
Developer Forum in San Francisco on Sept. 14.
The Ericsson module also features GPS
tracking along with version 3.0 of Intel's encrypted SMS antitheft technology.
The chip can remotely disable a laptop when the PC is lost or stolen by using
encrypted text messages if it finds the operating system is out of band, or not
running.
The missing or stolen laptop can be reactivated immediately when found.
Wake-On Wireless allows the device to wake to access content push services
and updates.
According to Mats Norin, vice president of Ericsson's Mobile Broadband
Modules division, 63 networks worldwide now support HSPA Evolution and an
additional 116 networks are planned.
Although Ericsson is offering faster mobile broadband modules for notebooks
and netbooks, it's now focused on developing Internet connectivity for smaller
devices, Norin told eWEEK. At the IDF
show, Ericsson unveiled both the F5521gw and a second-generation 7.2 Mbps
mobile broadband module, called the F3307, for tablets and consumer electronic
devices with 3G speeds.
The 7.2 Mbps module supports Intel's upcoming "Oak
Trail" mobile processors.
"Built-in mobile broadband provides the instant
connectivity that tablet computers require to be truly portable," Erik
Reid, Intel's director of marketing for its Mobile Platforms Group, said in a
statement. "In working closely with Ericsson, we are helping manufacturers
get their new products to market faster with the most capabilities with optimization
for our upcoming tablet platform, 'Oak Trail.'"
The F3307 uses 50 percent less power compared with previous generations,
Norin said. The reduced power consumption allows the device to maintain
always-on connectivity and extend its battery life. The F3307 uses
first-generation HSPA, while the F5521gw notebook module supports HSPA+.
In addition, the F3307's QuickConnect feature allows a device to reconnect
to the Internet seconds after leaving sleep mode.
Although he couldn't share the names, Norin said the module will likely work
with tablets from all the major suppliers in Asia, as
well as all of the major mobile operating systems.
"Theoretically, it would work with an iPad," Norin added.
The F3307 tablet module is available now, and the HSPA+ notebook module will
be available in October.
Desktops and Notebooks News & Reviews 
