With the ever increasing demand for mobile applications, hardware, and broadband access, nearly everyone with a stake in the communications arena is enhancing their mobile capabilities. This week at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) alone, handset manufacturers like Nokia and Samsung have announced new developments, and NextAlarm is enabling greater mobile control over alarm systems, and Visa is enabling mobile payments and services. And, at Macworld Expo, Steve Jobs (News - Alert) finally gave the world what it’s been waiting for. Yes, greater mobile functionality is driving the communications industry.

 

No stranger to the mobile communications world, UTStarcom has been developing handsets and other IP access products for more than a decade. Its popular PC5740 PC card has enabled millions of users to use access the Internet and business networks while on the train, at an airport, or from a hotel room. Building on the success of that card, UTStarcom (News - Alert) has announced at CES the availability in the United States of a faster and higher capacity version, the PC5740.

 

The PC5750 is a dual band (800/1900 MHz) CDMA2000 1xEV-DO wireless Type II PC card that is compatible with EV-DO Rev. A. The new card boasts a 30% increase in download speed — up to 3.1 Mbps — as well as a memory capacity of 64 MB Flash/32 MB RAM, which is eight times that of the company’s previous cards.

 

The PC5750 also includes the latest in security features, including a CDMA wireless technology authentication and identification security system, and Mobile Identification Number (MIN) and Electronic Serial Number (ESN). Combined, these features virtually guarantee unauthorized users will not be able to intercept valuable information.

 

With the lightweight PC card, which fits into a standard laptop PCMCIA slot, wireless customers do not have to wait to find a WiFi signal for connecting. Instead, they can connect to their wireless carrier’s data network — to check email, sure the Web, access their office network, and make VoIP calls — wherever they are.