Windows 7 will do for 3G what Windows XP did for Wi-Fi, namely make it ubiquitous, Microsoft revealed at the International CTIA Wireless 2009, in Las Vegas, April 2, 2009. Robbie Bach, president of Microsoft’s Entertainment &Devices Division, indicated that such a scenario would be made possible through the intimate integration of Windows 7 with netbook computers. The Redmond company already emphasized that the next iteration of the Windows client would be tailored to run on machines with limited hardware resources, featuring a small footprint and enhanced performance.

“The story for netbook PCs gets even better when we ship Windows 7. Windows 7 will have a smaller footprint, faster boot time, higher security, and much stronger networking capabilities with 3G built in thanks to chips from people like Qualcomm, Ericsson and others. So you are going to see these machines become full-fledged PCs in a very connected world,” Bach stated.

Gian Wilson, product manager, Mobile Communications Business, demonstrated Windows 7 running on a new HP Mini 1000 Vivienne Tam edition netbook PC, with the Qualcomm Gobi 3G module embedded. With such a configuration, users only need to introduce a 3G sim card and activate their mobile broadband, Wilson explained. In this regard, Microsoft underlined that it had aimed to make the connecting experience as simple as possible.

“Now we wanted to make this super easy. One click, you can see all of the wireless networks that are available. Two clicks, and you can connect. If you think back to Windows XP, what Windows XP did to propel the ubiquity of Wi-Fi, Windows 7 is going to do for 3G,” Wilson added.

But in the end, it will all come down to drivers and the resources Windows 7 offers by default to third-party developers in order for applications to be built on top of the platform. “This is the plumbing that we have integrated into Windows 7, and we feel that by implementing mobile broadband that it makes it easier and simpler for our customers to have anywhere, anytime Internet access, and we all know what the power and the robustness of 3G looks like,” Wilson said.