FOCUS-Industry leaders unveil new radio technology
STOCKHOLM, May 20 (Reuters) - Five world leaders in telecommunications
and electronics on Wednesday introduced Bluetooth, a new global
technology to improve cordless communications between mobile phones
and computers.
Japan's Toshiba <6502.T>, Sweden's Ericsson <LMEb.ST>, Finland's Nokia
<NOKSa.HE>, and Intel <INTC.O> and IBM <IBM.N> of the U.S. have joined
forces to improve communications between a wide range of currently
incompatible devices.
"Enabling seamless voice and data transmission via wireless, short-range
radio, this new technology will allow users to connect a wide range of
devices easily and quickly, without the need for cables," a joint
statement said.
"The move to implement Bluetooth is expected to grow the market for
personal mobile devices and increase airtime usage for mobile data
transfer."
The open specification for Bluetooth technology is being developed
through combined contributions of members of the Bluetooth SIG
(Special Interest Group), formed in 1998 by the five companies to
develop the concept of a technology standard.
Bluetooth -- the name of a Viking king -- uses a short-range
radio link to exchange information, enabling wireless connection
between mobile phones, mobile PCs, handheld computers, and other
products.
"The radio will operate on the globally available 2.45GHz ISM 'free
band', allowing international travellers to use Bluetooth-enable
equipment worldwide," the statement said.
"The new initiative is modelled after other successful industry
standards such as PCI and AGP to deliver products that inter-operate."
This will eliminate the need for business travellers to purchase or
carry bundles of cables by allowing multiple devices to communicate
with each other through a single port.
Enabled devices will not need to remain within line-of-sight and can
maintain an uninterrupted connection when in motion, or even when
placed in a pocket or briefcase, the companies said.
For example, users will be alerted to incoming e-mail on their packed
away PC via an alert on their mobile phone which will allow them to
read the contents of the mail on the phone's display panel.
Users will be able to access the Internet via a completely wireless
connection routed either through a mobile phone or a wired connection
such as the PSTN, an IDSN line or LAN.
Ericsson said products using Bluetooth should be available next year.
"The first products with the Bluetooth technology will certainly be
available in the second half of 1999," Johan Siberg, managing director
of Ericsson's mobile phones and terminals business area told Reuters.
The new technology is a joint effort.
Ericsson is contributing the base radio technology expertise, Intel
advanced chip and software expertise, Nokia expertise in radio technology
and mobile handset software, while Toshiba and IBM are developing a
common specification for integrating Bluetooth into mobile devices.
Other companies are invited to support the core technology on a
royalty-free basis to ensure Bluetooth can be implemented in many
different devices.
Those who have joined include Motorola Inc <MOT.N>, QUALCOMM Inc
<QCOM.O>,3COM Palm <COMS.O>, VLSI and Lucent Technologies Inc
<LU.N>, the statement said.
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