Qualcomm Unveils Gobi Mobile Internet Chipsets For Notebooks

The Gobi technology offers notebook manufacturers connectivity capabilities beyond Wi-Fi and is being certified to operate on CDMA2000 EV-DO and UMTS HSPA networks worldwide, the company said in a statement.

The embedded Gobi solution for notebooks includes Qualcomm's MDM1000 chipset, associated software and API, as well as GPS functionality.

"Gobi-enabled notebook computers with global mobile Internet unify the most important wireless carrier network technologies deployed around the world, providing comprehensive support for all 3GPP and 3GPP2 technologies," Sanjay K. Jha, COO of Qualcomm and president of Qualcomm CDMA Technologies, said in a statement. "We are leveraging Qualcomm's expertise in multimode wireless chipsets to bring connectivity to notebook users, who can now be confident they can instantly access the Internet without searching for a hotspot -- today."

To make it easier for Qualcomm customers and notebook OEMs to feature the Gobi solution in their notebooks and certify their products with operators, Qualcomm has introduced a common software API with support from numerous connection manager software vendors, including Birdstep Technology AB, Diginext B.V., PCTEL and Smith-Micro Software, the company said.

Hewlett-Packard said it is working with Qualcomm to focus on Internet mobile capability for notebooks. "HP welcomes the direction that Qualcomm is taking with the multimode Gobi technology, and the improvements it can offer notebook customers in enhanced international roaming and greater choice of mobile operator service," said Matt Wagner, director, notebook strategy and planning, Personal Systems Group, Hewlett-Packard, in the statement.

Oliver Mauss, global director of business marketing for Vodafone, said, "Vodafone is committed to developing the sector for laptops with built-in 3G broadband in order to meet our customers' growing need for access to data services on the move. This platform is an important step in making this technology even more accessible, and we are working closely with notebook OEMs to help them integrate this platform into their devices."

Andrea Caldini, executive director, product management and development for Verizon Wireless, said Qualcomm's technology is supporting Verizon's wireless business. "Qualcomm's leadership role in bringing Gobi to market is important for customers who have increasingly chosen an embedded wireless solution. Verizon Wireless looks forward to its continued collaborative effort with Qualcomm, Vodafone and the notebook manufacturers on this project," Caldini said.

The Gobi solution will be commercially available in the second quarter of 2008.