Results of Joint Conference & BLUETOOTH SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP (( Ref exchange2000.com ))
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND PC TECHNOLOGY LEADERS JOIN TO DELIVER
ENHANCED WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS SOLUTIONS
Ericsson, IBM, Intel, Nokia, Toshiba Introduce Low Cost, Short-Range
Radio Technology
Industry leaders Ericsson, IBM, Intel, Nokia and Toshiba today
unveiled their vision to revolutionise wireless connectivity for
personal and business mobile 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, expanding
communications capabilities for mobile computers, mobile phones and
other mobile devices, both in and out of the office.
The open specification for this innovative technology, code-named
"Bluetooth", is being developed through the combined contributions
of the members of the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG). The
SIG was formed in early 1998 as a result of the global commitment of
the five founding companies to develop the concept towards a
technology standard. Today, the SIG presents the technology at major
venues in London, San Jose, Calif., and Tokyo.
By working together closely, the five companies have combined their
individual specialist expertise to create "Bluetooth." Ericsson
contributed the basic radio technology expertise; Toshiba and IBM
are developing a common specification for integrating "Bluetooth"
technology into mobile devices; Intel is contributing
its advanced chip and software expertise and Nokia, contributes
expertise in radio technology and mobile handset software.
Other companies are being invited to support the core technology on
a royalty-free basis to ensure that "Bluetooth" can be implemented
in many different devices. Companies who have joined the Bluetooth
program and committed to include the technology in products include
Motorola, Qualcomm, 3COM Palm, VLSI and Lucent (see appendix I for
additional company names).
"Bluetooth" utilises a short-range radio link to exchange
information, enabling effortless wireless connectivity between
mobile phones, mobile PCs, handheld computers and other peripherals.
The radio will operate on the globally available 2.45GHz ISM 'free
band', allowing international travellers to use "Bluetooth"-enabled
equipment worldwide. The new initiative is modelled after other
successful industry standards such as PCI and AGP to deliver
products that inter-operate.
"BLUETOOTH" BENEFITS
"Bluetooth" will eliminate the need for business travellers to
purchase or carry numerous, often proprietary 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.
"Bluetooth" technology will offer new ways in which a user can use
personal mobile devices, both for professional and personal use:
- Users will be alerted to, and can respond to, incoming e-mail
via their mobile phone, even while their mobile PC remains in its
carrying case. When the PC receives an e-mail message, an alert
will sound on the mobile phone. It is then possible to browse
incoming e-mails immediately, reading the contents on the display
of the mobile phone.
- 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 ISDN line, or LAN.
- Users will be able to send an 'instant postcard' by cordlessly
connecting a camera to a mobile phone or any wire-bound
connection. Users could add comments to their snapshots using a
mobile phone or mobile PC, and send them instantly to recipients
anywhere in the world.
INDUSTRY ADOPTION
"Bluetooth" technology adoption is expected to be widespread
throughout the computer and telecommunications industry. The move to
implement "Bluetooth" is expected to grow the market for personal
mobile devices, and increase airtime usage for mobile data transfer.
Manufacturers will additionally benefit from the ability to replace
multiple connection ports with a single "Bluetooth" port, gaining
potential economies at production level. The group has defined
favourable adoption terms, including royalty-free availability of
the specification.
To promote open access to the "Bluetooth" concept and communicate
news about its development in the future, the SIG today launched a
website at bluetooth.com
Ericsson's 100,000 employees are active in more than 130 countries.
Their combined expertise in fixed and mobile networks, mobile phones
and infocom systems makes Ericsson a world-leading supplier in
telecommunications.
IBM, the world's largest computer manufacturer, is also the world's
largest software company and the world's largest provider of
information technology services. Additional information is available
at ibm.com.
Intel, the world's largest chip maker, is also a leading
manufacturer of computer, networking and communications products.
Additional information about Intel is available at
intel.com.
Headquartered in Finland, Nokia is a broad-scope telecommunications
company supplying mobile phones, mobile and fixed telecommunications
networks, data communications solutions, multimedia terminals and
computer monitors. With sales in 130 countries, net sales totalled
FIM 52.6 billion (USD 9.8 billion) in 1997. Nokia, listed on NYSE
(NOK.A), employs more than 38,000 people worldwide. With sales of
USD 44 billion (sales for fiscal year ending March 31st, 1997),
Toshiba is the world's sixth largest electronics and electrical
equipment manufacturer. Toshiba Corporation is a world leader in
high technology products with over 180,000 employees in more than 55
countries throughout the world. Founded in 1875, Toshiba has had a
long history as technological innovator and invested more than
USD 2.6 billion in R&D in 1997.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT
EUROPE
Lydia Hall, Edelman Public Relations Worldwide (SIG)
Tel: +44 171 344 1264, email: Lhall(a)edeluk.com
Sue Rizzello, Edelman Public Relations Worldwide (SIG)
Tel. +44 171 344 1290, email: srizzell(a)edeluk.com
Peter Bodor, Press Officer,
Ericsson business area Mobile Phones & Terminals
Tel. +46 8 404 2423, email: peter.bodor(a)ecs.ericsson.se
USA
Alan Marcus, Edelman Public Relations Worldwide (SIG)
Tel. +1 212 704 4481, email: amarcus(a)edelman.com
Per Bengtsson, Vice President, Investor Relations
Ericsson Inc.
Tel. +1 212 843 8420, email: per.bengtsson(a)ericsson.com
Kathy Egan, Vice President, Communications,
Ericsson Inc.
Tel. +1 212 685 4030, email: kathy.egan(a)ericsson.com
JAPAN
Yuko Honobe, Cosmo Public Relations (SIG)
Tel. +81 3 556 1 2915, email: honobey(a)cosmopr.co.jp
Satoshi Morimoto, Marketing Communications Manager,
Ericsson Japan
Tel. +81 45 475 6265, email: satoshi.morimoto(a)ericsson.com
Companies Participating in "Bluetooth" SIG
The following companies have formally signed to join the "Bluetooth"
Special Interest Group:
Ericsson, IBM, Intel, Nokia, Toshiba, Axis, Cetecom, Compaq, 3Com
(Palm, Megahertz, 3com, USR), Dell, Lucent Technologies UK Limited,
Motorola, Puma Technologies, Qualcomm, Symbionics, TDK, VLSI,
Xircom.
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