Lenovo to add 3G wireless to ThinkPads

PC maker Lenovo plans to add 3G connectivity to its ThinkPad laptop range from the second quarter of 2006. The move, in partnership with Vodafone, will also let customers upgrade to the faster High-speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) technology when this becomes available.

Select models of Lenovo’s ThinkPad T60 and X60 laptops will come with integrated 3G and GPRS capability in a number of European countries starting from the next quarter. Lenovo said the models will provide cost-effective data connectivity to allow mobile staff to access the internet, email and corporate applications wherever there is Vodafone coverage.

Customers choosing these ThinkPad models will be billed separately by Vodafone for their wireless service. The move follows a similar laptop integration deal between Dell and Vodafone announced in January.

“Vodafone helps us extend the mobile computing environment for ThinkPad customers, giving users access to a high-speed wireless network when and where they need to do business,” said Lenovo vice-president of marketing Marc Godin.

Lenovo said that version 4.1 of its ThinkVantage Access Connections software supports Vodafone’s 3G network as well as Wi-Fi hotspots. This will enable users to move seamlessly from one available network connection to the next without downtime.

Vodafone is expected to start offering HSDPA services on its 3G network sometime in the middle of this year. HSDPA is an extension of the current 3G technology and will allow data links up to 1Mbit/s initially, with higher speeds likely in the future.