High Tech Computer (HTC) and Inventec Appliances are in the process of rolling out 3.5G data cards, with HTC tapping the market for HSDPA (high speed downlink packet access)-supporting data cards (BandLuxe C100) via its subsidiary BandRich, according to industry players.
HTC will begin volume production in March, the sources explained.
Inventec, in the meantime, is also showing a presence in the 3.5G data card segment. Sources noted that the company has already landed new orders from a leading US players and shipments started in the fourth quarter of 2006.
The data cards are used with notebook computers and serve as a wireless modem, with 3.5G data cards supporting data transfer speeds of 1.8-7.2Mbps, making the platform an attractive alternative to Wi-Fi and ADSL, local Taiwan handset players pointed out. The competitive data transmission speeds have also drawn telecom service carriers to tighten their ties with notebook vendors on 3.5G data card offerings, the players noted.
Since the fourth quarter of 2005, suppliers including Novatel Wireless, Option and Sierra Wireless have all rolled out external data cards. China-based vendors including ZTE and Huawei Technologies also joined the market in 2006.
Statistics from Global Mobile Supplier Association (GSA) indicated that there are now a total of 128 end products supporting HSDPA, with 46 being handsets, 41 being PC data cards and 30 being notebooks.
Article translated by Esther Lam and edited by Michael McManus
