Lenovo, HP Laptops Integrate Wireless WAN

Hewlett-Packard is the latest vendor to add the mobile services. HP, Palo Alto, Calif., earlier this year introduced the Compaq nc6140 notebook that includes an EV-DO radio supporting Verizon Wireless&' 3G service. At the same time, Lenovo, Purchase, N.Y., unveiled plans for its second wireless WAN notebook, this time supporting Cingular Wireless&' 3G Edge network.

Last September, Lenovo unveiled a new ThinkPad model that supported Verizon&'s network. That same month, Sony said it would support Cingular&'s network in its Vaio TX ultraportable line. Each of these notebooks also includes traditional WLAN.

Many solution providers said wireless WAN adoption by established manufacturers validates the technology. “We think it&'s the next logical step,” said Dan Hogan, vice president of DSR, a solution provider and Verizon agent based in Elkridge, Md.

The latest version of wireless WAN, which is provided by cellular carriers, supports data transfers akin to many home broadband services. Verizon said its service will support data rates of 400 Kbps to 700 Kbps while Cingular said its network supports 70 Kbps to 135 Kbps.

Though WLAN is standard in most notebooks these days, solution providers say wireless WAN provides coverage in areas outside of typical hot spots—airports, Starbucks Coffee stores and other public locations. Carriers have spent the past few years rolling out their 3G services nationwide and then getting the price point to a level that is palatable to mobile workers.

Solution providers believe the services are largely ready for prime time, though the monthly price plans are still considered costly for mass consumption. Verizon Wireless charges $59.99 per month for unlimited access to its cellular voice customers, for example. DSR believes the price must come down further if sales are going to pick up, Hogan said.

But he is still upbeat about the new notebook models. He noted that Intel helped to popularize WLAN when its Centrino mobile platform called for the capability to be built in.

Paul Giobbi, president of Zumasys, Lake Forest, Calif., who has been selling wireless WAN PC cards to his mobile customers, said the built-in radios have additional benefits besides jump-starting usage of the wireless services.

Adding wireless PC cards can cause problems because users tend to bump the card—which sticks out as much as 1 1/2 inches—and can damage the notebook, he said. In addition, with an embedded solution, power management is more efficicent, Giobbi said.

“There are so many advantages to going embedded,” he said. “It ultimately gives people a more usable experience.”

Notebook makers also said the antenna placement for wireless WAN provides better reception. Notebook makers are placing the antenna on the side or top of the monitor instead of in the base of the notebook, where it is harder to lock onto a signal.

Harold Merkel, product manager for wireless technology in HP&'s notebook market group, said the EV-DO antenna is within the top of the monitor for optimum reception.

“Contrast this with other notebooks with wireless WAN on the market, and they have it sitting on the outside,” Merkel said. “We believe our placement gives us a potential advantage.”

One option that solution providers want apparently is not yet available. Giobbi noted that while integrating wireless WAN is a benefit from a technology standpoint, he wondered how solution providers would be compensated for service activations.

HP and Lenovo, the two notebook manufacturers that most recently released new models, declined to provide specifics about any solution provider compensation for the notebooks or activations. Both companies provide opportunities for mobile users to sign up for an account directly from the notebook. A spokesman for Lenovo said, “While resellers don&'t directly participate in activations, they are compensated for activated accounts.” Both he and an HP spokesman declined to provide additional information about how solution providers would be compensated.

Ultimately, Giobbi said, embedded wireless WAN services in notebooks will help spur adoptions, but there are concerns about how Zumasys will provide a complete service if it can&'t participate in the activation process. “It brings up some new concerns and possibilities,” he said.