Message #26 From:
Stock News Bot Date: October 31, 2006 07:21:00 AM
MC News Panasonic(R) Toughbook(R) CF-74 Semi-Rugged Notebooks Certified to Deliver Built-in 3G BroadbandConnect Service From Cingular
ATLANTA & SECAUCUS, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Panasonic Computer Solutions Company (PCSC), the leading provider of
durable, reliable wireless mobile PCs, and Cingular Wireless today
announced that the semi-rugged Toughbook CF-74 notebook now features
built-in support for the 3G UMTS/HSDPA BroadbandConnect Service from
Cingular using Novatel Wireless’ Embedded
Module. In addition, Panasonic has achieved Cingular Master Dealer
status. This designation enables Panasonic to directly sell and activate
Cingular Wireless services for Panasonic Toughbook preferred channel
partners.
The Cingular-enabled semi-rugged CF-74 joins rugged Toughbooks, the
CF-29 and the industry’s only rugged
convertible tablet PC, the CF-18, as part of the Panasonic’s
portfolio of UMTS/HSDPA-enabled notebooks. With this additional
certification, users will have the option for Cingular-powered mobile
broadband access in more than 115 markets (with populations of more than
100,000) in over 50 metropolitan areas, as well as seamless EDGE
wireless data network coverage in 13,000 additional cities and towns
across the country outside those areas. Toughbooks with Cingular
built-in will also have global wireless data capabilities with access to
EDGE or GPRS data service in more than 115 countries.
“Toughbook customers worldwide, from field
technicians to road warriors, have come to expect a high level of
reliability and connectivity from their notebooks. With this
certification, CF-74 users can now enjoy an even broader range of
choices for high-performance wireless data capabilities,”
said Victoria Obenshain, director of wireless strategy, Panasonic
Computer Solutions Company. “Panasonic
pioneered embedded wireless data in notebooks and today offers the
broadest portfolio of embedded wireless data solutions available.”
“The certification of the Panasonic Toughbook
CF-74 and the signing of our new Master Dealer agreement is indicative
of how Cingular’s valued relationship with
Panasonic continues to expand,” said Laura
Johnson, senior director, enterprise solutions, for Cingular Wireless. “Cingular’s
enterprise and government customers can now purchase an end-to-end
mobile broadband notebook for their mobile workforce that demands
real-time access to critical information in a reliable form factor.”
UMTS/HSDPA is the global standard and natural 3G evolutionary path for
GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) providers with UMTS
services already offered by 135 commercial networks in 57 countries, and
51 HSDPA networks. GSM is the world’s most
popular wireless technology, which is used by more than 2 billion
subscribers in 210 countries.
The Toughbook CF-74 features the Cingular-enabled Novatel Wireless
(NASDAQ: NVTL) ExpediteTM EU730 HSDPA PCI
Express Mini Card Embedded Module to give Toughbook users a
top-of-the-line wireless broadband computing solution. Cingular
BroadbandConnect users can access the Internet or e-mail, download large
files and attachments, and run corporate business applications at
broadband speeds in areas covered by UMTS/HSDPA-based BroadbandConnect.
BroadbandConnect provides average download speeds between 400-700
kilobits per second (kbps), with bursts to more than one megabit per
second (mbps). Cingular’s EDGE network, the
largest national high-speed wireless data network in the U.S., provides
average download speeds of up to 135 kbps.
In addition to offering embedded access to 3G networks, The Toughbook
CF-74 incorporates the Intel Centrino chipset for seamless connectivity
to local networks and optional Bluetooth technology.
Pricing and Availability
The Panasonic Toughbook CF-74 with embedded UMTS/HSDPA is available now
at an estimated street price of $3,749.00. To learn more about Panasonic
Toughbooks and wireless solutions, please visit www.panasonic.com/toughbook
for more information.
About Panasonic Computer Solutions Company
Panasonic Computer Solutions Company empowers the mobile workforce. The
company is a unit of Panasonic Corporation of North America, which is
the principal North American subsidiary of Matsushita Electric
Industrial Co., Ltd. (NYSE: MC). Panasonic has delivered reliable,
durable mobile solutions through its Toughbook®
line of notebook computers for thirteen years and has expanded the
boundaries of wireless technology through a broad portfolio of products,
ranging from fully rugged, industrial strength notebook computers and
tablet PCs to thin and light semi-rugged notebooks. A core manufacturer,
Matsushita and its subsidiaries control the entire process of design,
manufacture, quality assurance, service and support. As a result,
Panasonic Toughbooks are known for having the lowest failure rates in
the industry. Government, industrial, and commercial users—from
Fortune 1,000 companies to small businesses—rely
on solutions from Panasonic, wherever their work takes them.
All brand and company/product names are trademarks or registered
trademarks of the respective companies. All specifications are subject
to change without notice. Information on Panasonic’s
full line of notebook PCs for the mobile professional can be obtained by
calling 800-662-3537 or at http://www.panasonic.com/toughbook.
About Cingular Wireless
Cingular Wireless is the largest wireless carrier in the United States,
serving 58.7 million customers. Cingular, a joint venture of AT&T Inc.
(NYSE: T) and BellSouth Corporation (NYSE: BLS), has the largest digital
voice and data network in the nation -- the ALLOVER™
network -- and the largest mobile-to-mobile community of any national
wireless carrier. Cingular is a leader in third generation wireless
technology. Its 3G network is the first widely available service in the
world to use HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) technology.
Cingular is the only U.S. wireless carrier to offer Rollover(r), the
wireless plan that lets customers keep their unused monthly minutes.
Details of the company are available at http://www.cingular.com/.
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