HP: Global Wireless Connectivity

Via MobileCrunch, InfoWorld reports HP, in partnership with Cingular will begin shipping laptops that work in teh US and worldwide.

From the InfoWorld article:

HP claims it will be the first vendor to enable its customers to use a single computer to access both U.S.-based wireless connections like Cingular's BroadbandConnect and EDGE (Enhanced Data GSM Environment) networks and also overseas networks using standards such as UMTS.

UMTS is the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System, a network standard that uses WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access) technology to boost capacity and data speed compared to second generation (2G) mobile networks. HSDPA is High Speed Downlink Packet Access, a mobile broadband standard capable of reaching downlink speeds of 14.4Mbps.

"Wireless, more than any other technology, is driving the adoption of our business notebook line. Staying connected when you're on the road is fundamental to the value proposition of a notebook," said Matt Wagner, manager for product marketing at HP.

"This is a very smart move on HP's part," said Richard Doherty, research director at The Envisioneering Group, in Seaford, New York. "Wireless connectivity still costs an arm and a leg unless you're on 3G. So this is crucial in overseas markets."

From the HP press release:

“Cingular is a pioneer in the deployment of national, high-speed wireless data services and in the integration of wireless wide area network capabilities in portable computers,” said Jeff Bradley, vice president, business data services, for Cingular Wireless. “We look forward to putting this wireless experience and expertise to work for HP as we team with them to bring notebook customers the global 3G wireless broadband technology of choice.”

“HP is taking mobile computing beyond borders and boundaries to something truly global as a result of our relationship with Cingular Wireless,” said Ted Clark, senior vice president and general manager, Notebook Global Business Unit, HP. “The Cingular BroadbandConnect network together with our broad portfolio of mobile devices enable mobile professionals to stay more connected to the people and information that are most important to them.”