Verizon Working With Dell, HP, Lenovo in Laptop Cellular Access to Internet

In a double announcement, Verizon Wireless made public agreements between the company and computer manufacturers Dell and HP.

This collaboration will allow Dell customers to purchase and activate the Verizon Wireless V620 PC Card directly from Dell, allowing US-based users to to access the Internet, e-mail and enterprise data on Dell notebooks using Verizon Wireless' CDMA EVDO 3G cellular network. Dell collaborated with Verizon Wireless to test and validate the V620 on Inspiron and Latitude notebooks.

In addition, the companies will continue to drive new wireless initiatives, including the integration of mobile broadband capabilities into Dell notebook computers beginning next year.

The V620 PC Card supports EV-DO network technology, providing average speeds of 400-700 kilobits per second, access to e-mail, intranet, corporate applications and full Web browsing. Customers who travel outside of the CDMA EVDO coverage area will seamlessly switch to Verizon Wireless' existing network, based on 1xRTT technology that allows download speeds of 60 kbps to 80 kbps.

In a similar move, HP also announced plans to bring mobile broadband connectivity to upcoming HP mobile business devices. HP expects to make this technology available to customers through a PC Card solution this fall, similar to the one Dell is offering now. Starting in early 2006, HP plans to begin offering business notebooks with integrated Verizon Wireless EV-DO modules that will be based on Qualcomm chipsets.

Lenovo has already announced a new laptop with widescreen display and built-in CDMA EVDO access.