L M Ericsson Telefon AB’s Paramus, New Jersey-based Ericsson GE Mobile Communications Inc joint venture with General Electric Co Inc has won plenty of support in the shape of compatible products for its new Mobidem, which it bills as the first mass market portable wireless radio modem. The Mobidem works with Mobitex networks as operated by RAM Mobile Data Inc, and connects to the RS-232 serial port on laptop or palmtop computers, as well as industrial hand-held units. It is being aimed at mobile users that need to transmit data regularly from their portables, without the hassle associated with finding a telephone line and RJ-11 jack. Even though the product has only just been announced, several other companies, including Menlo Park, California-based Anterior Technology Inc, Hewlett Packard Co and Ottawa, Ontario-based Simware Inc have endorsed it by launching compatible products and signing joint agreements. Data is transmitted at a rate of 8Kbps straight into the Mobitex network, from where it is transmitted using the same packet-switched technology as the network itself. The modem also acts as a pager, and scans the radio frequencies for messages which are then stored in its buffer if the laptop is not switched on. The product’s ease of use is also being pushed as a large advantage for non-technical users – Mobidem has just two buttons to control its operation. In the US, Mobidem has received Federal Communications Commission approval, and will be available for $1,800 – the company is planning to begin initial shipments by the end of the first quarter, while volume production will start during the second quarter. The UK launch of Mobidem is scheduled for the same time, though the company is not commenting on whether pricing will be in line with the US. Ericsson has also announced that Mobidem is to be the initial product in a family of wireless modems using the same technology, and that the product will also be sold in bundled packages. According to a company spokeswoman, Mobidem needs no modification to be used with any of the Mobitex networks operating worldwide. At present, these are located in the UK and the US (both operated by RAM Mobile Data), Canada, Sweden, Finland and Norway.
