With mobile data usage in South Africa closely mirroring the explosive growth of GSM cellular telephony, a revolutionary new 'FirstFone' GSM cellular radio PC Card is set to rapidly establish use of the GSM cellular networks as the preferred connectivity solution for corporate mobile office users.
Launched in South Africa by FastLogic, the tiny low-cost credit-card sized device from Option International has a built-in GSM 900 MHz transceiver, a cellular phone and a GSM data/fax/SMS modem. This provides full mobile voice, fax, data and GSM SMS (Short Message Service) communications over the Vodacom and MTN GSM networks when plugged into laptops, Windows CE palmtops, and other PDAs. No other GSM phone or data cables are required. A bundled hands-free headset enables voice calls, while an optional adapter even allows it to be used on desktops PCs.
Says FirstFone product manager, Vanessa McDonald: "The incredible power and functionality of laptops coupled with increased travel and a noticeable trend towards internal emigration within South Africa has meant that rapidly increasing numbers of people are now mobile and require simple connectivity solutions to stay in contact by voice, fax and email."
FirstFone as a simple to use integrated wireless device is ideal for corporate users needing to connect to their company's Remote Access Servers, the Internet, or for those needing to send and receive faxes via Vodacom and MTN.
"Use of FirstFone means that there's now no need for these mobile office users to scrounge around looking for a fixed-line Telkom socket. They can simply use FirstFone and the GSM cellular networks like Vodacom and MTN networks to connect live without hassle," says McDonald.
FirstFone's 2W GSM cellular transmitter, voice, data, fax and SMS modem capability is integrated into it's thin Type II form factor, an amazing engineering feat which removes the need for a cellphone and external cables. The device uses a standard mini-SIM from Vodacom and MTN, and can be used for full voice, fax and data connectivity wherever there is a GSM cellular signal, in South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Seychelles, Mauritius, Mozambique as well as 90 other countries using the popular GSM system world-wide.
"FirstFone has a very easy to use Plug `n Play installation and obeys standard AT modem commands. It's Windows 95/98/NT/CE approved, with a full Windows-based Control suite, SMS editor, Phone Dialler, and PhoneBook editor. It's also the only PC Card device of it`s kind in the world which has an integrated GSM cellular voice and data/fax modem facility which does not require a sound card, system-hogging drivers, and an external power supply to operate."
Plugged into the popular colour Hewlett Packard 620LX Windows CE palmtop, FirstFone instantly converts this palmtop into a mobile telephone and mobile office. "This effortless pairing of FirstFone with a palmtop to convert it into a mobile telephone that can make and receive GSM cellular voice and data calls is unique," enthuses McDonald.
And for remote users on farms, villages, and at holiday venues where there are no phone lines and laptops, FirstFone can also be used on desktop PCs using a very simply adapter that plugs into a standard serial port.
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