Qualcomm (News - Alert) Incorporated revealed earlier this month that its Gobi global mobile Internet solution is garnering industry recognition. According to the company, more manufacturers, network operators and software providers have been showing interest in the technology and are developing products for the Gobi community.  

 

For example, laptop vendors are looking to integrate this technology into models that will be available in 2008. Many telecommunications providers, including, but not restricted to, T-Mobile International, Telefonica, Verizon Wireless and Vodafone (News - Alert), have either been certified or are in the process of being certified for this technology.  

 

Also, Fortune 500 companies that are welcoming the technology as an answer to allow their workforce high-speed Internet connectivity, without being restricted to WiFi hotspots.  

 

 “Even companies who didn’t formerly consider themselves to have a global footprint are increasingly finding that having a mobile workforce is a necessity to staying competitive,” said Carrie MacGillivray, a senior research analyst at IDC. “WiFi (News - Alert) hotspots lack ubiquitous coverage for the mobile worker and make it difficult for many organizations to keep employees connected while traveling. Multi-mode cellular data access embedded in laptops offers increased flexibility and efficiency for mobile workers.”  

The Gobi solution uses both EV-DO and WCDMA/UMTS 3G mobile networks to allow mobile consumers the facility of high-speed Internet connectivity, regardless of location. If a laptop has Gobi technology embedded within it, enterprise users can utilize the connectivity, and system administrators can conduct more efficient management using a single hardware-software platform across all branches worldwide.  

 

Robert Garry, director of sales at Ingram Micro (News - Alert), said the technology poses a solution that is available to small business customers, by embedding a 3G feature into mobile devices. He also went on to add that Gobi has offered a single solution for each notebook model. It also provides Ingram resellers with the carrier flexibility, international roaming and future-proof roadmap that they have been looking for to make notebook and sub-notebook built-in mobile broadband mainstream.

 

“For enterprise users, the need for secure and widely available access to the Internet has become more essential than ever - a need that Gobi addresses with flexibility and efficiency. Built-in Gobi laptops and sub-notebooks will offer business IT managers and end users the advantages of flexible service options with enterprise-class security, GPS capability and a growing list of Gobi-compatible mobility software. The Gobi ecosystem provides IT managers with a reliable solution that addresses their global mobile broadband needs,” Said Greg Raleigh, Vice President of wireless connectivity for Qualcomm. 
 
Smith Micro Software Inc., Birdstep Technology ASA, Diginext (News - Alert) B.V., Stonestreet One Inc., and Absolute Software are among the increasing number of mobility software developers and enterprise security software developers that now have products compatible with Gobi technology.