Intel/Nokia partnership ups the ante for wireless laptops
1 November 2006
Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
The 27 September announcement by Intel and Nokia that they will partner to offer embedded wireless Internet connectivity in laptops has not only changed the market outlook for embedded cellular modems in portable computers; it also hit the share prices of competing wireless modem makers Novatel Wireless and Sierra Wireless.
The 27 September announcement by Intel and Nokia that they will partner to offer embedded wireless Internet connectivity in laptops has not only changed the market outlook for embedded cellular modems in portable computers; it also hit the share prices of competing wireless modem makers Novatel Wireless and Sierra Wireless.
"The Nokia/Intel partnership to produce an embedded HSDPA Mini-card modem will not only accelerate the market for cellular connectivity in notebooks," says ABI Research senior analyst Philip Solis. "Intel is also taking a first step towards the eventual inclusion of WiMAX wireless broadband in portable computers. The eventual goal is to offer multiple connectivity options."
Cellular modems for laptops come in two form-factors: PC cards and embedded modems such as the ones Intel and Nokia plan to offer. While PC cards will continue to be sold on an aftermarket basis for some time, particularly for new air interfaces, the real future of the market lies with embedded modems which will make up nearly 17% of the total this year. That proportion will increase steadily over time.
Falling ASPs and increasing shipments mean that 2006's expected $1 bn revenue from cellular PC cards and embedded modems in laptops will increase to nearly $3 bn in 2010, as detailed in a recent ABI Research study. The growing revenue from cellular PC modems is the result of two trends: shipments are growing steadily, and increasingly, they are of the more expensive 3G modems.
ASPs for both forms started to decline this year, and will continue to show a gradual, almost flat rate of decrease through the end of the study's forecast period. But even that decline will be insufficient to dent the revenue growth for vendors such as Option NV, Novatel, Sierra Wireless and Sony Ericsson, resulting from higher shipment volumes and a greater proportion of more expensive 3G modems.
Further reading:
Mobile satellite connectivity available in SA
Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Space42 has commercially launched its next generation mobile satellite service, Thuraya 4 NGS, available in South Africa as of February 2026.
Read more...
Next-gen Wi Fi 6E connectivity for embedded systems
iCorp Technologies
Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Espressif Systems has expanded its connectivity portfolio with the introduction of the ESP32-E22, the company’s first Wi-Fi 6E connectivity co-processor.
Read more...
Quectel redefines connectivity with RG660Qx 5G Series
iCorp Technologies
Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Purpose-built to meet the demands of next-generation IoT and wireless broadband, these modules leverage the cutting-edge Qualcomm X85 and X82 5G Modem-RF systems to deliver enterprise-grade performance.
Read more...
Contactless IO-Link couplers
IOT Electronics
Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
The IO-Link couplers from Phoenix Contact are industrial contactless couplers designed to transmit power and IO-Link data across a small air gap without physical connectors.
Read more...
Quectel’s RG255C-NA and RM255C-GL accelerate 5G RedCap adoption
iCorp Technologies
Editor's Choice Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Quectel’s RG255C-NA and RM255C-GL modules represent a strategic move into this fast-growing segment, delivering Sub-6 GHz 5G connectivity optimised for mid-tier IoT applications.
Read more...
SDRs – Which RF architecture should you choose?
RFiber Solutions
Editor's Choice Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
There are several common methods of implementing SDR architectures. This paper discusses which is best when meeting a specific need.
Read more...
Multi-band GNSS patch antenna
RF Design
Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
The Taoglas AHP2356A is a compact, high-performance active GNSS patch antenna designed for next-generation positioning systems requiring precision, reliability, and multi-constellation support.
Read more...
Cellular routers for explosive areas
Phoenix Contact
Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Updated versions of the Cellulink outdoor cellular router product range from Phoenix Contact are now available; they have been specially developed for use in Zone 2 potentially explosive areas.
Read more...
Power the next wave of IoT innovation
Links Field Networks
Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Links Field Networks’ portfolio includes connectivity platforms, edge devices, and network management tools designed to support secure, resilient IoT deployments across a range of use cases.
Read more...
Move to smart agriculture
Otto Wireless Solutions
Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Designed for precision agriculture, the RAKwireless SensorHub is a modular, industrial-grade IoT platform that collects real-time environmental and soil data across farming operations.
Read more...
printer friendly version