Option, the wireless technology company, and Nortel have completed the industry’s first successful demonstration of live HSDPA data card calls reaching a wireless transmission rate of 3.6Mbps – faster than the majority of current broadband connections. The test calls were carried out on commercial HSDPA network equipment at Nortel’s research campus in Châteaufort, France.

The series of calls are the first data card calls to demonstrate downlink speed of 3.6 Mbps, at HSDPA category 6 using 16 QAM modulations. A laptop fitted with an Option 3.6 HSDPA data card based on QUALCOMM core MSM 6280 technology and commercial HSDPA network equipment from Nortel were used to achieve the download speeds.

The calls included successful ‘real-world’ tests with a laptop placed in a moving vehicle to illustrate the suitability of mobile wireless broadband for high quality, live TV, High Definition video on demand, MP3 download as well as new applications for the mobile workforce.

Tags: HSDPA

Cingular Wireless, the largest US mobile carrier, launched its 3G network in 16 cities on Tuesday, becoming the first mobile network operator in the world to deploy a 3G network based on HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) technology.

The company plans to continue to extend the network rapidly next year.

Cingular is the last of the big three US mobile operators to launch its 3G network – Verizon Wireless and Sprint Nextel have both rolled out 3G networks based on Qualcomm’s rival CDMA EV-DO technology.

The Cingular move also marks an important step for the world’s GSM network operators. HSDPA is the high-speed evolution of GSM/EDGE which share a common core network.

Tags: Cingular, 3G, EDGE

Verizon Wireless today announced availability of the Motorola RAZR V3c, the CDMA version of Motorola’s flagship phone.

The stunningly sophisticated Motorola RAZR is now ready to be experienced by users of CDMA technology. Like the original, the RAZR V3c touts excellence in design and a razor-thin form factor, but comes in a unique, refined steel grey finish. Hidden in its slim shape is powerful technology, including a 1.3 megapixel camera, EvDO (Evolution for Data Optimized) technology for video-on-demand and broadband-like connections and Bluetooth® wireless technology. Video capabilities and an integrated MP3 player complete the mobile entertainment offerings. Mobile intelligence and smart style at its best, the Motorola RAZR V3c turns heads and delivers impressive connectivity.

SUMMARY OF FEATURES:
• Ultra slim form factor with nickel-plated copper-alloy chemically-etched keypad
• EL keypad illumination panel
• EvDO (Evolution for Data Optimized) for downloading data with extreme speed
• Integrated 1.3 megapixel camera with 8x zoom and photo album application
• Video clip capture and playback with day and night modes
• Integrated Bluetooth wireless technology
• MP3 player and 72 polyphonic sound engine
• Up to 30 megabytes (MB) of available embedded user storage
• Speaker independent name and digit dialing
• Office-quality speakerphone
• Picture caller ID on both the internal and external color displays
• WAP 2.0 Browser
• BREW 3.1 for application and content downloads

Tags: Motorola, RAZR

Nokia 6282 phone combines 1 megapixel camera, QVGA display, and sleek slide design with 3G technology.

Nokia today unveiled one of the industry’s first mobile handsets designed to support 1900MHz UMTS networks expected to go online in the Americas during 2006. In addition to enabling 3G services, the new Nokia 6282 phone features a 2.2 inch, 320×240 pixel QVGA display, a 1 megapixel camera, FM radio, digital music player with hot-swappable miniSD card support, Bluetooth technology and an eye-catching sliding design. The Nokia 6282 phone (GSM 850/1900/1800/UMTS 1900 MHz) is expected to be available during the first quarter of 2006 in markets offering 1900MHz UMTS service.

Featuring the Series 40 Platform 3rd Edition, the Nokia 6282 phone offers users an intuitive way to access the power of this new device. While supporting the latest messaging, browsing, music and video standards, this new interface also takes full advantage of the Nokia 6282 phone’s QVGA display by using an ‘Active Standby Mode’, which allows the idle screen to keep owners informed of calendar and to-do items and to provide quick access to the most-used applications.

The stylish slide design of the Nokia 6282 phone keeps the extra-large display in sight at all times, yet allows it to remain ultra-compact while in the closed position. Additionally, by positioning the imaging controls on the exterior, the Nokia 6282 quickly converts to a conventionally-oriented imaging device that allows 1 megapixel still images and 15 frame-per-second VGA video content to be captured by using the screen as a horizontal viewfinder.

Tags: Nokia, Nokia 6282

Nokia today unveiled the 3G-enabled Nokia 6234, a feature-filled 3G mobile phone exclusively for Vodafone. Featuring a 2-megapixel camera, a 320 x 240 QVGA color screen, digital music player, stereo speakers and a wide array of features and applications which take advantage of WCDMA mobile broadband services, the Nokia 6234 will be available exclusively for Vodafone customers world-wide. The stylish and classic Nokia 6234 (WCDMA 2100 / GSM 900/1800/1900) is expected to begin shipping in the 1st quarter of 2006.

The 3G-enabled Nokia 6234 offers a 2-megapixel camera with 8x zoom, operational in landscape mode. With this, the Nokia 6234 allows for pictures to be taken on the spot while the video sharing functionality allows to mutually enjoy special moments instantaneously. The bright QVGA screen displays pictures and multimedia content such as videos and websites in a compelling and colorful way.

The Nokia 6234 holds an impressive music experience, to be enjoyed via the built-in stereo speakers with 3-D sound effects or headphones. Supporting microSD memory cards of up to 2 GB, the Nokia 6234 puts a collection of consumers’ favorite albums right into their pockets. A Visual Radio client complements the audio experience of the Nokia 6234.

With Bluetooth Wireless Technology, the Nokia 6234 easily transfers pictures taken to any compatible printer and seamlessly connects to a wide assortment of Bluetooth enabled headsets and car kits. Unifying easy-to-use imaging capabilities with music on the go and 3G services like video sharing, the Nokia 6234 offers up to 4 hours of talk time on GSM networks (up to 3 hours of talk time via WCDMA) and up to 2 weeks of standby time.

Tags: Nokia, Nokia 6234

Nokia today unveiled the Nokia 6233, a classically designed model tailored for business and entertainment. The sleek 110-gram, 81-cc model offers a 2 megapixel camera, a 320 x 240 QVGA color screen, digital music player, stereo speakers and a wide array of features and applications which take advantage of WCDMA services. Featuring a stainless steel frame and an improved, intuitive menu structure, the Nokia 6233 (WCDMA 2100 / GSM 900/1800/1900) is expected to begin shipping in the 2nd quarter of 2006, and is expected to retail for approximately €325, before applicable taxes or subsidies.

“Despite being one of our smallest WCDMA phones to date, the Nokia 6233 is no lightweight when it comes to performance,” says Kai Oistamo, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Mobile Phones, Nokia. “The Nokia 6233 builds on the formula that made the Nokia 6230i so popular - a classically-designed, feature-rich device together with an intuitive, easy to use interface. As 3G gains even greater mass-market attraction, we are confident the Nokia 6233 will also be extremly popular with consumers.”

The Nokia 6233 offers more than 4 hours of talk time on GSM networks (more than 3 hours of talk time via WCDMA) and up to 2 weeks of standby time.

Tags: Nokia, Nokia 6233