Laptops with built-in
WWAN modems aren't anything new, but there's a hodgepodge of hardware and services available -- a situation the GSM Association is trying to simplify with the new Mobile Broadband standardization initiative. Sure, it's mostly an excuse to get another sticker on your gear, but companies like Microsoft, Dell, Lenovo, ASUS, Toshiba, Qualcomm and a bunch of carriers are on board to ensure that Mobile Broadband-certified machines will be ready and able to connect in some 91 countries around the world -- and what's more, they're committed to spending a cool billion dollars in the next year promoting MB as a "compelling alternative" to WiFi and WiMAX. That should be an interesting dilemma for the carriers that also run hotspot networks, but we've got a feeling everyone's happy as long as the sub fees keep rolling in.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Shinigami @ Sep 30th 2008 8:47PM
Compelling alternative to free wifi internet? How? Making it any freeer doesn't make any sense to me.
I'm talking about free wifi spots everywhere starting with my home.
Sameer Surampalli @ Sep 30th 2008 10:04PM
Definitely since your home's internet connection is completely free..
Majority of hotspots these days (whether in airports or shops) are subscription based. Some offer free WiFi still, but take the Atlanta Hartsfield Airport for example. They have WiFi, but you have to have a subscription service like T-Mobile Hotspot. Pretty much all the Hotspots in Europe are T-Mobile.. so nearly all WiFi is subscription based.
DarkLight @ Oct 1st 2008 12:51AM
Home connection isn't free, but MUCH cheaper than massive-wireless... And even if not, you would need a home, wired connection anyway, so you would be paying twice for almost the same thing. Supposing wireless was cheap, you can only get so far with it (with current technology, anyway), wired is faster, more stable.
roole @ Sep 30th 2008 8:56PM
Looks like two butts in motion..... ugly!
Crooked Style @ Sep 30th 2008 10:23PM
Samwell FTW
holycow @ Sep 30th 2008 10:20PM
Make it god damn affordable.. and then I'll think about it
Ryan M @ Oct 1st 2008 2:29PM
Is it me or does their logo look a lot like Mobile Me
Mikael in Sweden @ Oct 3rd 2008 7:51AM
This Mobile Broadband association will becoming to compete with Wimax and localy 802.11n standards.Doing a new "Intel inside" concept is not today possible because other standards in mobile broadband communication.In Sweden and probably europe are today usb-modems for mobile broadband from chinese Huawei the most common brand.
This mobile broadband association is not Huawei member of but that is maybe because of that Huawei is trying to sell that division thats develop and making the usb-modems and mobile phones.