Hewlett-Packard (HP) today announced a partnership with Lucent Technologies at HP Mobile E-Services Bazaar in Helsinki, Finland, saying it will co-brand a bundled wireless local area network solution with Lucent.
The product forms part of HP`s strategy to address the entire wireless computing and mobile application market.
HP says the ORiNOCO WLAN offering is based on 802.11b technology and will provide connection speeds of up to 11 Mbps. It is to be bundled with management software to make integration with existing networks possible and will feature 64-bit encryption for secure data transfers.
The boxed solution will include a LAN access point, a notebook PC card and a PCI adapter for desktops.
ORiNOCO is aimed at companies with mobile workforces that need to access network infrastructure from anywhere on company grounds and HP says it has been fully tested for compatibility with its line of notebooks.
HP also expects it to be used with wireless network interface cards for PCs to make office moves and restructuring possible without the need for cabling or the reconfiguration of network hubs.
The product should be available in Europe, directly from HP and through the channel, by September. South African availability and pricing information is not yet available, however.
HP is also developing further wide area network and Bluetooth personal area network technology it says will "fill in the gaps" in its mobile and wireless offerings. Further announcements on wireless partnerships and alliances are expected during the third quarter of this year.
HP`s Mobile E-Services Bazaar initiative aims to "help fuel the creation of innovative mobile E-Services". The Helsinki Centre of Innovation is the world first for HP, with more physical centres to be opened in the US, Japan and Asia.
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