UK universities are to be targeted by Cisco, T-Mobile, and
Intel with a new mobile data service that combines 802.11 wireless
Lan networks, 3G and GPRS mobile networks to provide widespread
access for students.
At 3GSM the three suppliers announced a live trial for the service
at Frankfurt University, and said 100 universities would be
targeted around Europe from this summer.
The integration of the three technologies is being promoted as an
extension to universities' existing fixed broadband connectivity,
enabling students to get internet access anywhere on campus and
surrounding areas. The laptops being promoted for the scheme are
IBM Thinkpads equipped with Intel's Centrino wireless technology,
which will be discounted for students.
The laptops will also be equipped with data cards that allow
students to access T-Mobile's GPRS and 3G networks when the
university's wireless Lan is not in range - typically 100m from
access points. Students will be able to buy preferential access
vouchers to roam on the GPRS and 3G networks.
A T-Mobile spokeswoman said the identities of the first UK
universities to use the scheme would be revealed "in the next
couple of months". The T-Mobile 3G network for data card access in
the UK goes live in a few week's time.