Wi-Fi/Cellular phones expected to take off

"ABI Research has high hopes for mobile/Wi-Fi convergence. In fact, it's predicting that in 2010 more than 100 million dual-mode cellular-Wi-Fi handsets will be in consumer hands by the end of the decade.

According to ABI Senior Analyst Phillip Solis, two carriers, BT and Korea Telecom, are providing the necessary industry momentum. They plan on offering dual-mode services by the end of 2005, which, according to Solis "could start a very large ball rolling."

I couldn't agree more. Watch this space.

Sources: Telephony Online
Tags: WiFi Cellular Convergence VoWiFi

Telabria introduces WiFi and 3G in a box

Spotted at the recent Wireless LAN Event at Olympia - Telabria have packaged a WLAN hotspot (802.11a/b/g), and 3G modem in a small ruggedised case, suitable for rapid deployment anywhere. It will also connect into a WiFi mesh network for backhaul if that is available. Neat idea.

I also had a brief chat with the company. Previously I'd thought that they were just a service provider, rolling out the first WiMax network in Kent, but it turns out that there are 3 threads to the company. They are a full service provider (Kent), run hotspots for other operators, and manufacture their own hardware.

Sources: Telabria Press Release
Tags: WiFi 3G mesh

Vodafone Germany to introduce the VPA IV aka HTC Universal

Looks like Vodafone Germany, T-Mobile, and Orange are all looking to release HTC's Universal UMTS/GSM handheld with WiFi. It is one up on the Motorola MPX due to the addition of 3G capability. Can't wait.

• WCDMA/UMTS
• Tri-band GSM/GPRS
• QWERTZ/QWERTY keyboard
• 520 Mhz Intel Bulverde CPU
• 128 MB RAM
• SDIO/MMC card slot
• Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth
• Mini-USB
• Size (closed): 131,6 x 79 x 21,6 millimeters
• Pocket Word, Excel, Power Point and Internet Explorer are preinstalled
• Video telephony via UMTS

Sources: PCCW The Register MS Mobiles
Tags: WiFi HTC