HP, Cingular Offer Mobile Broadband Laptop

HP and Cingular Wireless have announced the availability of the first notebook PC to feature built-in global mobile broadband capabilities.

The HP Compaq nc6400 Notebook PC with integrated Cingular Wireless UMTS/HSDPA-based technology allows business professionals to connect in more areas at broadband speeds to corporate networks, email and the Internet without being tied to a wireless hotspot.

US customers can now avail of mobile broadband both in the United States — either with Cingular Wireless BroadbandConnect or high-speed EDGE services — and abroad in more than 115 countries where UMTS or GPRS/EDGE networks are available. The HP Compaq nc6400 is the first notebook with a tri-band UMTS modem supporting data rates of up to 3.6 megabits per second in the United States and in many countries around the world.

The notebook features Wireless LAN and Bluetooth wireless technology, a 14.1-inch diagonal widescreen display, an optional HP Privacy Filter that helps ensure the screen is visible only to the user, Intel Core 2 Duo processors and 3D graphics support. It is Microsoft Windows Vista capable and it features HP Professional Innovations, a suite of hardware features and software solutions that includes technologies such as integrated biometrics and digital accelerometers.

The notebook’s design gives customers the flexibility to purchase the nc6400 and later upgrade to Cingular Wireless’ 3G network by adding an HP Broadband Wireless Module. The nc6400 comes with integrated high-performance dual-antennas and Cingular Communication Manager to establish a wireless connection via Cingular’s 3G network.

“HP and Cingular Wireless are expanding the boundaries of mobile computing both within the U.S. and abroad with products like the HP Compaq nc6400 Notebook PC,” said Carol Hess-Nickels, director, worldwide business notebook marketing, Personal Systems Group, HP. “By integrating our powerful and innovative computing products with Cingular Wireless’ 3G network, we enable our mobile customers to stay connected in more places to the people and information that are most important to them.”

HP and Cingular Wireless collaborated on the nc6400 to take advantage of Cingular’s UMTS/HSDPA network, which is available currently in 145 major metropolitan areas including 65 of the top 100 largest cities in 33 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. This mobile broadband network offers average download speeds of 400-700 kilobits per second, with bursts to more than one megabit per second. UMTS/HSDPA is a global standard and natural 3G evolutionary path for GSM providers, with 142 UMTS networks and 72 HSDPA networks currently available worldwide.

“The global capability that the Cingular and HP alliance provides to customers presents a considerable advantage to those who need access to important information, whether they are on the other side of town, across the country or halfway around the world,” said Laura Johnson, senior director, enterprise solutions, Cingular Wireless. “The nc6400 Notebook PC with integrated HSDPA-based technology is the latest, powerful example of how the collaborative efforts of our two companies have resulted in the introduction of a world-class product that will keep customers better connected, more productive and increasingly competitive in the marketplace.”

The HP Compaq nc6400 Notebook PC is expected to be available in late December at a starting price of $1,599. HP nc6400 customers can get monthly unlimited Cingular BroadbandConnect service for $59.99. International plans also are available. A North American plan of 100 megabytes for $109 per month provides for usage in Canada and Mexico, as well as unlimited domestic data. Cingular’s global plan of 100 megabytes for $139 a month covers data usage in more than two dozen countries worldwide, as well unlimited use in the United States.