Dell and Ericsson have jointly announced their collaboration on the mobile market, aimed at bringing 3.5G connectivity to the notebook users. As part of the new deal, Ericsson will manufacture HSPA mobile broadband modules, while Dell will implement the Ericsson technology in its upcoming notebook models.

HSPA connectivity, also known as 3.5G, is extremely popular with mobile carriers and can be accessed from more than 185 commercial networks worldwide. Recent market estimations claim that there are more than one billion mobile users who have subscribed for a 3G plan.

"Consumers are increasingly utilizing notebooks to access the high-capacity services that they have typically experienced only through a wired or WiFi connection", explained Mats Norin, Vice President, Mobile Broadband Modules, Ericsson. "We are excited to work with Dell to give consumers and business users the freedom and flexibility to access internet in the way they want it, wherever they are", Norin continued.

According to Ericsson, such mobile broadband modules are the safest and the cheapest way of enjoying Internet connectivity for road warriors. The company also claimed that the new modules will be heavily optimized for the notebook environment, given the fact that battery autonomy and physical space are key elements for a successful laptop design.

Ericsson's 3.5G modems are also equipped with a GPS receiver that can be accessed via global positioning software applications.

"Dell's model is uniquely capable of putting the technology and wireless service in customers' hands. Teaming with Ericsson to offer built-in HSPA in our laptops ensures Dell delivers on the basic assumption that one can access critical information anytime, anywhere, with the speed and rich content that we have all come to expect", said John Thode, Vice President Small Devices, Dell Consumer Group.

Broad 3.5G adoption is still crippled by the fact that mobile carriers are unable to provide cost-effective plans for data traffic. While they manage to deliver seamless telephony services, mobile operators are less specialized in offering Internet solutions.

However, more and more notebooks equipped with 3.5G wireless modems could force a policy shift and start widespread adoption of the "Internet-on-the-go" data services.