Siemens geared up for demand in short-range connectivity

Siemens Telecommunications, which is currently rolling out its mobile business campaign in South Africa and across the Southern African Development Community, announced today it has, locally, the technology ready for the deployment of its newly unveiled Bluetooth solution.

Bluetooth, which made its debut at the Systems 2000 trade fair in Munich last year, enables cost-effective wireless transmission of voice and data packets over short distances, allowing a range of electronic devices to communicate and synchronize information, up to ten meters.

Siemens will demonstrate Bluetooth connectivity, using Fujitsu-Siemens notebooks, at the Cebit 2001 conference in March. Solutions to be displayed range from wireless IP and communications devices that optimize a company's workflow, through to information entertainment at public hotspots, through service providers.

Paul McKibbin, the managing director of Siemens Information and Communication Networks (ICN) said: "As the increasing demand for mobility changes the way corporates are working, new technologies will be needed to support advanced communications. With Bluetooth, which is set to replace the use of InfraRed technology in mobile and computing devices, the options for wireless communication are endless." Merrill Lynch, a leading banking and research house, estimates that 5.5 billion Bluetooth modules would have been supplied, internationally, by 2005.

McKibbin cited an example. At a business meeting, participants can at the press of a button, synchronize their schedules, transfer up-to-date documents or link into the corporate network. Similarly businessmen on the run can access, from their hotels or the airport, any network irrespective of whether it is an Internet, Intranet, LAN or WAN, using Bluetooth from a variety of terminals.

McKibbin said Bluetooth formed just one part of a wider strategy to make business mobile. "In line with the predicted uptake of wireless technology globally, there is expected to be a strong demand for short-range radio connectivity, making it possible for mobile workers to be totally accessible at any location, in any situation, at any time, across different networks and with various terminals."