Guide To Mobile Communications

Data Cards

Originally data cards were designed to only connect to a laptop’s PCMCIA slot. However, advancements in technology mean that connectivity options now include connectivity via PCMCIA or Express Card slots or via a USB port. Add to this the option of WLAN and the choices become even greater.

The leading data card manufacturers such as Sierra Wireless, Novatel Wireless, Option Wireless Technology and Huawei have introduced data cards to meet these connectivity types.

In years to come, it is likely that all laptops will have embedded data card technology, but for the time being, a data card is still the preferred option with much choice available.

The cellular networks are not always best placed. Users tend to rely on the cellular networks to meet their data card needs, but they do not always have the complete product range to cover all connectivity options or the hands on support.

Cellular networks are at different stages of development, therefore users may not always get the fastest speed actually supported by their data card. This is further compounded when moving around the globe, from city to city.

As one would expect, most users simply want a data card that they plug in and can start using within minutes. They do not want to be inconvenienced with user manuals and trying to configure technical settings.

Next Generation

The early adopter of the original mobile PC data card would have scoffed at the idea of today’s true mobile broadband speeds and stable connection.

Even in the mid ’90s, speeds were painfully slow (up to 9.6kbps) and connections would regularly drop out through poor data coverage or temporary blips when going through tunnels. The ‘always connected’ capability of more recent technologies such as GPRS and 3G have resolved such issues, making the experience less stressful, more trustworthy and therefore more workable for a business user.

As network speeds increase, so do the capabilities of the data card. It is now common to get download speeds of up to 1.8Mbps and with HSDPA becoming more prevalent, this will result in speeds of up to 7.2Mbps within a year or so. The soon to be launched HSUPA will now also increase upload speeds to 2.1Mbps.

With new speeds and new unlimited tariffs of around £25 per month now available, this really can be likened to true mobile broadband, with the costs to match.

Realistic Mobile Broadband Experience

The mobile user now has access to a multitude of smartphones or can choose from any data card/modem format they require for their laptop.

The established base of laptop users is immense and data card/modems include USB, Express and PCMCIA options. Data card/modem sales are increasing all the time, driven largely through improved tariffs and increased marketing and PR spend from the Networks.

Reporting on current costs for data card usage is difficult as competition and innovation make for a rapidly moving target to hit! Recent examples include the new Vodafone £12.77 per month for 3GB of data or 3’s 1GB tariff for only £10 per month. These are sold alongside the existing higher user/corporate tariffs such as the Vodafone £25 per month for ‘unlimited’ usage.

One can now clearly define between ‘entry’ level and ‘corporate’ data card/modem options. For example, the iCON 225 USB compared to the Ovation MC950D. The iCON 225 USB can only be used in Europe for 3G, whereas the Ovation MC950D can be used around most of the world with special technical enhancements to improve coverage even further.

Not only are there entry level and corporate-based options, but the last 12 months has seen the introduction of multi-function data cards.

Sierra Wireless has introduced the Apex 880 USB modem. This product not only supports the latest speeds available but has a rechargeable battery to improve usage time where no mains power is available and it also has the added functionality of being a memory stick.

Perhaps the most impressive of the new multi-functional products is the launch of the Toshiba G450. This is not only a USB modem, it is a phone (a headset is supplied), a memory card and an MP3 player.

The key brands in this market include Option, Novatel Wireless, Sierra Wireless, Huawei, Sony Ericsson, Bandrich and Toshiba and is being added to constantly. The likes of Option and Sierra Wireless will have entry level up to corporate options for each of the different formats and Toshiba, the multi-function product. All of this means not only an increase in the choice to the customer but the type of customer that is bound to be interested.

The key for buyers is to work with a supplier that can provide both the choice of data card/modem and the tariffs to suit. One thing is for sure; each Network is not going to approve and brand all of these different options.

Therefore, choose a reseller that stays independent; you will get more choice.

The Office in Your Hand

Since we last updated readers on the PDA and smartphone market things have moved on considerably. Continuing improvements around features such as screens, GPS, music players, cameras etc. have resulted in an explosion of sales. The Market has also been helped by the increase in network speeds that make the sending and receiving of email and accessing the Internet a compelling business proposition. Needless to say the core manufacturers including HTC, HP, imate, ETEN, ASUS Fujitsu Siemens, Samsung, Palm, Motorola and Toshiba remain in this space.

Each manufacturer naturally justifies their portfolio based upon their own unique flavour, so the user experiences varying software and features and physical attributes ranging from the ‘candy bar’ phone to the full ‘revealing’ QWERTY keyboard. More recent advancements include Video, TouchFLO Technology, handwriting recognition and fingerprint ID sensor technology.

In other words there is a device out there that can tick a box for any prospective user from the consumer to the demanding corporate.

Until now the majority of devices sold in the UK have been through the networks; branded HTC devices for example such as O2’s XDA Orbit or TMobiles’ MDA. However, the increasing presence of leading brands such as Windows Mobile manufacturer HTC is highlighting not only features and its own brand, but the ever increasing choice available to the customer (HTC alone currently has 10+ devices in its range).

Smart phones are now a specialist area with lots of choice. Therefore it is important that purchasers work with a supplier that can not only provide an independent, broad range of products by the leading brands, but also the appropriate technical advice, airtime and pre/post sales technical support.

This can be extended further to include managed services for larger deployments, such as staging and configuration of devices (where the user wants their software downloaded on to the device with the relevant settings), the customisation of the ROM (for branding purposes or enabling/disabling hardware features, e.g. camera) advanced replacement hotswapping (where devices are lost or broken) and extended warranties.

Products, services and airtime are forever evolving so it pays to seek a wide range of views and opinion.