Birger Sten (Microsoft) and Michal Lihner (Fujitsu Siemens) are convinced: the mobile broadband access in Russia good prospects.
Today, Internet access – a prerequisite for successful, efficient business. And since the business becomes increasingly mobile, the ability to connect to the World Wide Web should ideally exist at any time, anywhere in the world. Until the ideal are far, but another step on the road to it is made through a joint initiative of MTS companies, Microsoft and Fujitsu Siemens Computers.
The companies announced the beginning of cooperation for the development and promotion of solutions for mobile Internet access. Such complex solutions are a combination of Fujitsu Siemens laptop with built-3G-modem (HSDPA technology and GPRS / EDGE)-based OS Windows Vista, SIM-cards MTS for modems and special tariff plan for data transmission. Previously, the idea of integrating Windows-laptop with built module and specialized fare 3G cellular operator in a single solution was proposed in the joint programme MTS and Microsoft, submitted in February 2008, at the 3GSM Congress in Barcelona.
Mobile access to the most developed countries demand in full; need for it is growing rapidly in Russia. According to Pyramid Research, more than 70% of potential laptop users prefer a model with a built-3G-modem, and unsatisfied demand for portable PCs in the price ranges up to U.S. $ 1 thousand in the current year exceeds 2 million. The growth of domestic IT market suggests that a marked proportion of this demand will be realized in the near future: to assess the MTS, 33% of Russians have only recently (three years ago and less) started using mobile communication and mobile data transmission technology.
While in the price ranges laptop as mobile Internet device that directly competes with the most sophisticated smartphones and communicators, according to the same Pyramid Research, potential buyers, obzavedyas necessary amount, rather it will acquire a laptop (about 60% of respondents) rather than sverhkompaktny “Smart phone” (about 20%). Apparently, the case in markedly greater convenience first as a working tool, especially when it comes to ensuring the mobility of employees of large companies.
In terms of end-user, principled dignity laptop with built module 3G – simplicity and convenience of working with him. The market presents many external 3G-ins for laptops in a PCMCIA-card devices or USB, but they usually require installation of drivers and nontrivial settings. In addition, taking a laptop on a trip, will need to be kept in mind and on the external module. With a built same contact is much easier, but with the guarantee of work after the first launch of operating system.
The new proposal is sold in Moscow (in stores network “Digital White Wind” and the offices of MTS), and then in other Russian cities, where already operating or are preparing to launch broadband network 3G. The main audience integrated proposal MTS, Microsoft and Fujitsu Siemens Computers are seen as business clients, most of the time conducting out of the office and away from fixed broadband access points (realtors, traders, etc.) and “advanced” individual users . Buy it in August during the first four months will be provided free to 100 megabytes of Internet traffic. By the end of this year planned to sell more than 10 thousand of such decisions, covering sales cities of Russia 10-12.
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