Ericsson Teams with Intel to Extend HSPA to Mobile Internet Devices

Swedish telecom giant, Ericsson announced it is collaborating with chip maker, Intel (News - Alert) to extend its 3G mobile broadband technology (HSPA) to Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs).

 

Ericsson (News - Alert) is betting on Intel's next-generation MID platform “Moorestown,” which will include HSPA as one of its wireless technologies.

 

Ericsson said it is optimizing its module for Intel's Moorestown platform and Moblin-based Linux operating systems. The module will work on both WCDMA/HSPA and GSM/EDGE networks worldwide, the handset maker said in a press release.

 

Based on the Intel Atom processor, Moorestown is Intel's next-generation MID platform and is scheduled for release over the next one to two year period.

 

The companies believe the pocketable MIDs will enhance the mobile Internet experience, facilitating a range of uses including entertainment and media, GPS navigation, online gaming, social networking and data communication.

 

"Ericsson continues to create one Internet and one experience for the consumer, regardless of location or device, fixed or wireless. We see great potential in embedding mobile broadband in MIDs, creating new markets in the industry,” said Johan Wibergh, senior vice president and head of Business Unit Networks at Ericsson.

 

Analysts believe the agreement between the two giants brings together the telecom and computing industries and bolsters the possibilities of more innovation in mobile broadband.

 

"The high performance, low power and compatibility of Intel architecture, coupled with Ericsson's 3G mobile technologies, represents one of the ways to accelerate the global adoption of a new breed of Mobile Internet Devices," said Anand Chandrasekher (News - Alert), Intel senior vice president and general manager for the company's Ultra Mobility Group.

 

HSPA is the world's most widely deployed 3G mobile broadband technology used by more than 220 networks serving 60 million subscribers -- a figure that is increasing by 4 million every month.

 

Ericsson supplies communications services and manages networks that serve more than 195 million subscribers. The company's portfolio comprises mobile and fixed network infrastructure, and broadband and multimedia solutions for operators, enterprises and developers.

 

With HSPA, Ericsson says, users will be able to download 20 times faster than with a GSM/GPRS connection.