Intel and Nokia 'up the ante' for wireless laptops

By

Integrated cellular modem chips set to shake up market.

Intel and Nokia 'up the ante' for wireless laptops
Last week's announcement by Intel and Nokia that they will partner to offer embedded wireless internet connectivity in laptops has "upped the ante" for wireless laptops by embedding cellular modems in portable computers, analysts believe.

ABI Research said that the deal has also hit the share prices of competing wireless modem makers Novatel Wireless and Sierra Wireless.

The Nokia/Intel partnership to produce an embedded cellular mini-card modem will accelerate the market for cellular connectivity in notebooks, according to ABI Research senior analyst Philip Solis.

"Intel is also taking a first step towards the inclusion of WiMax wireless broadband in portable computers. The eventual goal is to offer multiple connectivity options," he said.

Cellular modems for laptops come in two form-factors: PC cards, and embedded modems such as the ones Intel and Nokia plan to offer.

While PC cards will continue to be sold on an aftermarket basis for some time, particularly for new air interfaces, ABI predicts that the real future of the market will lie with embedded modems which will make up nearly 17 percent of the total this year.

Falling prices and increasing shipments mean that expected 2006 revenues of US$1bn from cellular PC cards and embedded modems in laptops will increase to nearly US$3bn in 2010.
Got a news tip for our journalists? Share it with us anonymously here.
Copyright ©v3.co.uk
Tags:

Most Read Articles

Porn industry standardises on HD-DVD

Porn industry standardises on HD-DVD

La Trobe ACAMI supercomputer comes online

La Trobe ACAMI supercomputer comes online

TfNSW extends deal for mobile phone detection cameras

TfNSW extends deal for mobile phone detection cameras

Australian teen leaks pictures of new iPhone parts

Australian teen leaks pictures of new iPhone parts

Log In

  |  Forgot your password?